Effects of gait training with horizontal impeding force on gait and balance
of stroke patients |
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Authors: | Kyung-Pil Na You Lim Kim Suk Min Lee |
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Institution: | 1) Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea |
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Abstract: | Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treadmill training
with a horizontal impeding force applied to the center of upper body mass on the gait and
balance of post-stroke patients. Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four subjects with
hemiplegia less than 3 months after stroke onset were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an
applied horizontal impeding force on treadmill training (experimental) group (n = 12), and
a control group (n = 12). Both groups walked on a treadmill at a comfortable or moderate
speed for 20 minutes per day, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks after a pre-test. The
experimental group also had a horizontal impeding force applied to the center of their
upper body mass. Results] All groups demonstrated significant improvement after 8 weeks
compared to baseline measurements. In intra-group comparisons, the subjects’ gait ability
(CGS, MGS, cadence, and step length) and balance ability (TUG, BBS, and FRT) significantly
improved. In inter-group comparisons, the experimental group’s improvement was
significantly better in CGS MGS, cadence, step length, TUG, and BBS, but not in FRT.
Conclusion] Treadmill training was identified as an effective training method that
improved gait and balance ability. A horizontal impeding force applied during treadmill
training was more effective than treadmill walking training alone at improving the gait
and dynamic balance of patients with stroke.Key words: Treadmill gait, Horizontal impeding force, Upper body |
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