Effects of Progressive Body Weight Support Treadmill Forward and Backward Walking Training on Stroke Patients' Affected Side Lower Extremity's Walking Ability.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of progressive body weight supported treadmill forward and backward walking training (PBWSTFBWT) versus forward-only (PBWSTFWT) or backward-only (PBWSTBWT) training on stroke patients' lower extremity walking ability.
Results Summary
All three training groups showed significant improvements in walking ability metrics (step length, stance phase, swing phase, single support, step time). The PBWSTFBWT group demonstrated more significant improvements across all assessed items compared to the other two groups.
Population
36 chronic stroke patients, divided into three groups of 12.
Effective Dosage
30 minutes per session, six times per week.
Duration
3 weeks of intervention, followed by general physical therapy until follow-up tests.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
progressive body weight supported treadmill forward and backward walking training (PBWSTFBWT) | increase | step length of the affected side, stance phase of the affected side, swing phase of the affected side, single support of the affected side, and step time of the affected side | chronic stroke patients | - | showed more significant differences | #1 |
progressive body weight supported treadmill forward and backward walking training (PBWSTFBWT) | increase | stroke patients' affected side lower extremity's walking ability | stroke patients | - | was more effective at efficiently training | #2 |
progressive body weight supported treadmill forward walking training (PBWSTFWT) | increase | step length of the affected side, stance phase of the affected side, swing phase of the affected side, single support of the affected side, and step time of the affected side | chronic stroke patients | - | showed significant differences | #3 |
progressive body weight supported treadmill backward walking training (PBWSTBWT) | increase | step length of the affected side, stance phase of the affected side, swing phase of the affected side, single support of the affected side, and step time of the affected side | chronic stroke patients | - | showed significant differences | #4 |
[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of progressive body weight supported treadmill forward and backward walking training (PBWSTFBWT), progressive body weight supported treadmill forward walking training (PBWSTFWT), progressive body weight supported treadmill backward walking training (PBWSTBWT), on stroke patients' affected side lower extremity's walking ability. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 36 chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups with 12 subjects in each group. Each of the groups performed one of the progressive body weight supported treadmill training methods for 30 minute, six times per week for three weeks, and then received general physical therapy without any other intervention until the follow-up tests. For the assessment of the affected side lower extremity's walking ability, step length of the affected side, stance phase of the affected side, swing phase of the affected side, single support of the affected side, and step time of the affected side were measured using optogait and the symmetry index. [Results] In the within group comparisons, all the three groups showed significant differences between before and after the intervention and in the comparison of the three groups, the PBWSTFBWT group showed more significant differences in all of the assessed items than the other two groups. [Conclusion] In the present study progressive body weight supported treadmill training was performed in an environment in which the subjects were actually walked, and PBWSTFBWT was more effective at efficiently training stroke patients' affected side lower extremity's walking ability.