• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.35-42
• /
• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system on the gait and balance of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, who received treadmill gait training in an adjusted position, or the control group, who received regular treadmill gait training. Both groups underwent a 30-minute comprehensive rehabilitation treatment before receiving an additional 20-minute treadmill gait training. This routine was repeated five times a week for four weeks. To measure the difference before and after training in walking and balance, patients were scored on the following: 10 m walking test (10 MWT), 6 minute walking distance (6 MWD), timed up and go test (TUG), and static standing balance test (stability index). RESULTS: While post-training scores of 10 MWT, 6 MWD, TUG, and stability index for both groups increased significantly compared with pre-training (p<.05), the experimental group showed greater improvement than the control group (p<.05). The scores of the experimental group increased significantly by 9% in the 10 MWT, 11% in 6 MWD, 13% in the TUG, 8% in the stability Index (eye opened), and 10% in the stability index (eye closed). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system would be a useful gait training method to improve walking and balance of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE: This study compared two different techniques of treadmill gait training, and evaluated the outcomes on gait and respiratory function in patients with hemiplegic stroke. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, enrolling a total of 21 stroke patients in a rehabilitation hospital. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the treadmill walking training group with gradual speed increase (GSI group, n = 10), or treadmill walking training group with random speed changing (RSC group, n = 11). All participants performed 60 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × / week for 6 weeks). In additional, each group received either GSI or RSC treadmill walking training for 20 min (5 × / week for 6 weeks, total 30 sessions). Gait and respiratory function were measured before and after the 6-week training. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in the 10-m walking test, 6-minute walking test, timed up and go test, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and maximal voluntary ventilation after training (p < .05). The GSI group showed a significantly greater increase in the FVC than the RSC group (+14.8 L vs. +12.5 L, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Both training methods can be effective for improving the walking and respiratory functions of stroke patients. However, our results indicate that treadmill walking training with gradual speed increase might be a more effective method for improving the respiratory function (FVC) than treadmill walking training with random speed changing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.21-30
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of treadmill training with taping on the affected ankle joint on the gait and balancing ability in patients with sub-acute stroke. METHODS: Nineteen patients with sub-acute hemiplegic stroke in a rehabilitation hospital were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 10), who received treadmill training with taping on the affected ankle joint or the control group (n = 9), who received general treadmill training. All participants performed 60 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (five sessions per week for four weeks). Each group received treadmill training with or without taping on the affected ankle joint for 20 min (three sessions per week for four weeks). The gait and balancing ability were measured before and after the four-week training. RESULTS: Post-training scores of 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), timed up and go (TUG) test, and center of pressure (COP) path length and velocity for the experimental group increased significantly compared to that pre-training (p < .05). The experimental group showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and TUG test than the control group (-3.5 s vs. -1.01 s, p < .05; -4.9 s vs. -1.7 s, p < .05; respectively) CONCLUSION: Treadmill training with taping on the affected ankle joint might improve the gait and balancing ability of stroke patients and is considered a more effective method for improving gait and balancing ability than the method of general treadmill training.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.147-157
• /
• 2023

Purpose : Stroke patients exhibit considerable variations in gait patterns. Stroke patients generally show abnormal muscle tone and gait. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique (TM) on gait ability in patient with chronic stroke. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 36 patient with chronic stroke. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique group (TM group; n=18) and conservative treatment group (CG group; n=18). The TM group received 15 minutes muscle tone control technique and 15 minute treadmill gait training. In the conservative treatment group received 30 minutes conservative physical therapy. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome gait ability were measured by gait measurement system (Optogait, Microgate, Italy) and 10 m walking test (10MWT). An independent t-test was used to statistically analyze the pre-test and pos-ttest gait ability results. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in gait ability during intervention period. TM group showed significant differences in gait ability as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). TM group showed significant differences in 10MWT as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). Our results showed that TM was more effective on gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : Our findings of this study confirmed that the treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique provided significant improvements on gait ability in patient with chronic stroke. Therefore treadmill gait training combined with muscle tone control technique may positive influenced gait ability. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the distribution of foot pressure, knee and ankle joint angle between treadmill walking and ground walking in normal person. Methods : 18 Person of subject has participated this study, let subject to walk in ground and treadmill in order to gain data of foot distribution and knee, ankle joint angle using by parotec system. and Dartfish system. Walking velocity was constrained by 2Km/h and more 10sec. Date analysis was used by paired-t test using SPSS/PC statistical programs for window. Results : Result show that total contact times has shown symmetry between both legs, and more increase of left foot pressure in treadmill walking. Foot pressure of treadmill walking was significantly decreased in right hind foot and fore foot and hallux area. The ankle joint angle of treadmill walking was significantly decreased in initial contact phase. Conclusion : Results of this study show that foot pressure of treadmill walking was more decreased than ground walking in right hind foot and fore foot, hallux area. And the ankle joint angle of treadmill walking was significantly decreased in initial contact phase.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2016

Background: Gait problems appear in most stroke patients. Commonly, stroke patients show the typical abnormal gait patterns, such as circumduction, genu recurvatum, and spastic paretic stiff-legged gait. An inclined treadmill gait exercise is good for gait problems of stroke patients. In addition, the backward walking training has been recommended in order to improve the component of the movement for the forward walking. Objects: The purpose of this study to investigated the effects of backward walking with inclined treadmill training on the gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 30 volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups that walked on an inclined treadmill: the experimental group ($n_1=15$), which walked backward, and the control group ($n_2=15$), which walked forward. To measure the improvement of the patients' gait, a Figure of Eight Walking Test (F8W), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) were performed. We also measured spatio-temporal gait variables, including gait speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support using a three-axial wireless accelerometer. The measurements were taken before and after the experiment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare both groups before and after the interventions. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparisons after the interventions. The statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: Before and after experiment, all dependent variables were significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). As compared to the control group, the experimental group showed more significant improvements in F8W, FSST, speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support (p<.05); however, FGA in this group was not significantly different from the control (p>.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that backward walking on an inclined treadmill is more effective for improving the gait of stroke patients than forward walking.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2009

Background: This study had been carried out with 20 elderly subjects as its object for about one month from November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 in order to observe the effect of Underwater Treadmill on the elderly's walking and balance ability. Methods: Subjects were assigned either experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10), experimental group received Underwater Treadmill program (30 min per course, 3days a week for 6weeks). Subjects were assessed for muscle power (Nicolas Manual Muscle Test), balance (Functional Reach Test), gait ability (Time Up and Go, 10M walking test) before experiments and after experiments. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1. After underwater treadmill exercise, the change of isometric contraction indicated a beneficial increase on lower extremity muscle power of experimental group and functional test of balance function; FRT, TUG indicated beneficial difference between groups. 2. beneficial difference between groups in walking speed of hourly index change of walking function. 3. between muscle power and balance, gait ability, we could find out there's high correlation ship between lower extremity muscle power increasing and balance and gait ability of the elderly. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using underwater treadmill effects on muscle power strengthening of the elderly, and because of this, increase of lower extremity muscle power is very helpful not only to improvement of balance ability, but also to improvement of gait ability, so it will be used as a physical therapy program on clinic and used as an exercise program for protecting the elderly from falling down very well.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 1996

The objective of this study was to make comparison of the physical work capacities with different types and methods of tasks. To produce standard work loads, a bicycle ergometer and a treadmill were used for the purpose of two different types of tasks. Maximal oxygen uptake measurement tests are usually performen (1) continuously - with no rest between work load increments, or (2) discontinuously - with the subjects resting several minutes between work periods. Continuous test protocol with two different methods of work load increments, (1) ramp test- with 3 to 5 minutes of work period for each work load, and (2) incremental test - where exercise intensity was increased progressively in 2 minutes interval, were used. Predicted physicala work capacities (PWCs) were compared with the one by Kim(1990), and Lee(1995), and the NIOSH physiological criteria. For ergometer test, the PWC based on the ramp test was 89.65% of the one based on the incremental test. The PWC values were 2553.88 ml/min for the ramp test and 2848.82 ml/min for the incremental test. For treadmill test, the PWC based on the ramp test was 97.54% of the one based on the incremental test. The PWC values were 2786.89 ml/min for the ramp test and 2857.24 ml/min for the incremental test. The PWC obtained with a bicycle ergometer was 91.64% of the one obtained with a treadmill for the ramp test, and 99.71% for the incremental test.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2012

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of treadmill training with real optic flow scene on functional recovery of balance and balance self-efficacy in stroke patients. Design: Single blind, Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Nine patients following stroke were divided randomly into the treadmill with optic flow group (n=3), treadmill with virtual reality group (n=3), and control group (n=3). Subjects in the treadmill with optic flow group wore a head-mounted display in order to receive a speed modulated real optic flow scene during treadmill training for 30 minutes, while those in the treadmill with virtual reality group and control group received treadmill training with virtual reality and regular therapy for the same amount of time, five times per week for a period of three weeks. Timed up and go test (TUG) and activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC scale) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: TUG in the treadmill training with optic flow group showed significantly greater improvement, compared with the treadmill training with virtual reality group and control group (p<0.05). Significantly greater improvement in the ABC scale was observed in the treadmill training with optic flow group and the tread mill training with virtual reality group, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrate that treadmill training with real optic flow scene can be helpful in improving balance and balance self-efficacy of patients with chronic stroke and may be used as a practical adjunct to routine rehabilitation therapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2013

The study aimed to compare the effect of the treadmill walking training combined with obstacle-crossing (TWT-OC) and treadmill walking training (TWT) on the walking function of patients with chronic stroke. 29 subjects volunteered to participate in this study; they were randomly assigned to either TWT-OC group (15 subjects) or TWT group (14 subjects). Subjects from the TWT-OC group underwent a treadmill walking combined with obstacles-crossing for 30 minutes daily, three days a week for four weeks, whereas subjects from the TWT group received only a treadmill walking. The 10 m walk test (10MWT), 6-min walk test (6MWT), berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), activities-specific balance confidence-Korean version (ABC-K), and walking ability questionnaire (WAQ) were measured before and after the 4-week training. The TWT-OC group showed significantly better functional mobility of walking and balance measured by 6MWT (p<.01), BBS (p<.01), and TUG scores (p<.05) when compared with those of the TWT group. Further, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<.01) except for 10MWT. These findings suggest that the TWT-OC and TWT may be helpful for improving the walking function of patients with chronic stroke, and the TWT-OC has probably more favorable outcomes for chronic stroke, however, further trials with wider range of subjects are warranted for generalization and clinical relevance.