Locomotor treadmill training with partial body-weight support before overground gait in adults with acute stroke: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of locomotor treadmill training with partial body-weight support (BWS) before the initiation of overground gait for adults less than 6 weeks poststroke.


METHODS
Parallel group, posttest only.


METHODS
Inpatient rehabilitation center.


METHODS
Adults after first stroke admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit: treadmill group (n=7) and comparison group (n=7).


METHODS
Locomotor treadmill training with partial BWS or traditional gait training methods.


METHODS
Gait kinematics, symmetry, velocity, and endurance at least 6 months postinsult.


RESULTS
Data from 3-dimensional gait analysis and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) supported improved gait for adults postacute stroke who practiced gait on a treadmill before walking over ground. Gait analysis showed increased knee flexion during swing and absence of knee hyperextension in stance for the treadmill group. In addition, more normal ankle kinematics at initial contact and terminal stance were observed in the treadmill group. Improved gait symmetry in the treadmill group was confirmed by measures of single support time, hip flexion at initial contact, maximum knee flexion, and maximum knee extension during stance. The treadmill group also walked further and faster in the 6MWT than the comparison group.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of locomotor treadmill training with partial BWS before overground gait training may be more effective in establishing symmetric and efficient gait in adults postacute stroke than traditional gait training methods in acute rehabilitation.
McCain
Karen J
KJ
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Allied Health Sciences School, Dallas, TX, USA. karen.mccain@utsouthwestern.edu
Pollo
Fabian E
FE
Baum
Brian S
BS
Coleman
Scott C
SC
Baker
Shawn
S
Smith
Patricia S
PS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing