[Effectiveness of backward walking treadmill training in lower extremity function after stroke].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness of backward walking treadmill training for restoration of motor function, balance and walking speed in patients with stroke.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with stroke, 17 males and 9 females, aged 36 - 64, with the lower extremity Brunnstrom motor recovery stage at 3 or 4, able to walk for 10 m without walking aid or orthosis, were randomly divided into two equal groups: The patients in the control group were to participate in a 60-minutes conventional training five times a week for three weeks, and the patients in the experimental group received 30-minute conventional training and then 30-minute backward walking training five times a week for three weeks. Before the training and 3 weeks after the training, Fugl-Meyer assessment was used to assess the motor function of the lower extremity (FMA-L), Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to assess the balance function, and 10 m maximum walking speed was measured.


RESULTS
After the three-week training period, the FMA-L score of the experimental group was 28.0 +/- 3.3, significantly higher than that of the control group (25.5 +/- 2.3, P = 0.033); the BBS score of the experimental group was 51.4 +/- 1.8, significantly higher than that of the control group (47.3 +/- 3.7, P = 0.001, and 10 m MWS of the experimental group was 57 +/- 17, significantly higher than that of the control group (43 +/- 16, P = 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
A safe and feasible intervention, additional backward walking therapy helps improve the damaged motor function, balance, and walking speed of the patients with stroke.
Weng
Chang-shui
CS
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China.
Wang
Jun
J
Pan
Xiao-yan
XY
Yu
Zeng-zhi
ZZ
Wang
Gang
G
Gao
Li-ping
LP
Huo
Chun-nuan
CN
D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*