The Effect of Muscle Strengthening Exercise and Gait Training for Stroke Persons in a Community

지역사회 뇌졸중 환자를 위한 근력강화 운동과 보행훈련의 효과

The limited walking ability after a stroke restricts a patient's independent mobility at home and in the community. It also brings about significant social handicaps. Therefore, it is necessary to improve walking ability in community-dwelling persons with stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of gait training and muscle strengthening exercise of lower extremities in persons with chronic stroke. Nineteen community-dwelling individuals with stroke participated in this program. The exercise program lasted for seven weeks, with a 1-hour program twice per week, and it consisted of balance training, gait training, and strengthening of lower extremities. The outcome of the program was assessed by the gait speed, Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Significant effects were found for the WGS, BBS, and mobility and hand function domain of the SIS (p<.05). It was found that short-term gait training exercise could improve quality of gait, balance, and mobility. Therefore, a more effective exercise program is required for community-based persons with stroke.