Gait Improvement in Chronic Stroke Survivors by Using an Innovative Gait Training Machine: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Bunyong Rungroungdouyboon¹  Nongnuch Luangpon²  Sirirat Kiatkulanusorn²  Kultida Klarod²  Patcharee Kooncumchoo³  Somrudee Hanmanop³  Phuwarin Namdaeng³ 

[1] Center of Excellence in Creative Engineering Design and Development, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand;Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;

关键词: stroke;    gait training;    lower limb impairment;    motor recovery;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph19010224

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Chronic stroke leads to the impairment of lower limb function and gait performance. After in-hospital rehabilitation, most individuals lack continuous gait training because of the limited number of physical therapists. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly invented gait training machine (I-Walk) on lower limb function and gait performance in chronic stroke individuals. Thirty community-dwelling chronic stroke individuals were allocated to the I-Walk machine group (n = 15) or the overground gait training (control) group (n = 15). Both groups received 30 min of upper limb and hand movement and sit-to-stand training. After that, the I-Walk group received 30 min of I-Walk training, while the control followed a 30-minute overground training program. All the individuals were trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome of the motor recovery of lower limb impairment was measured using the Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA). The secondary outcomes for gait performance were the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). The two-way mixed-model ANOVA with the Bonferroni test was used to compare means within and between groups. The post-intervention motor and sensory subscales of the FMA significantly increased compared to the baseline in both groups. Moreover, the 6 MWT and 10 MWT values also improved in both groups. In addition, the mean difference of TUG in the I-Walk was higher than the control. The efficiency of I-Walk training was comparable to overground training and might be applied for chronic stroke gait training in the community.

【 授权许可】

Unknown