Balance, balance confidence, and health-related quality of life in persons with chronic stroke after body weight-supported treadmill training.
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in balance, balance confidence, and health-related quality of life immediately and 6 months after body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for persons with chronic stroke (primary objective) and to determine whether changes in gait speed after BWSTT were associated with changes in these dimensions of health (secondary objective).


METHODS
Prospective pre-/posttest pilot study with 6 months retention.


METHODS
University research laboratory settings.


METHODS
A convenience sample of participants (N=19; at least 6mo poststroke; able to ambulate 0.4-0.8m/s) were recruited.


METHODS
BWSTT was provided for 24 sessions over 8 weeks with 20 minutes of total walking each session.


METHODS
Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), comfortable 10-m walk test (CWT), and fast 10-m walk test (FWT). Proportions of participants who achieved minimal detectable changes (MDCs) were examined for all measures.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvements were found from pre- to posttest for BBS, ABC, SIS mobility, SIS stroke recovery, and CWT scores (P<.05) and from pretest to retention on BBS, ABC, CWT, and FWT scores (P<.05). For most participants, improvements did not exceed MDCs. Changes in gait speed and BBS, ABC, and SIS scores were not associated.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study suggest that effects of BWSTT may transfer beyond gait to positively influence balance, balance confidence, and health-related quality of life. However, for most participants, BWSTT was not sufficient to induce improvements in balance and balance confidence beyond measurement error or long-term retention of enhanced perceptions of quality of life.
University of Indianapolis, IN, USA. scombs@uindy.edu
Stephanie A
SA
Combs
Eric L
EL
Dugan
Miranda
M
Passmore
Cara
C
Riesner
Dana
D
Whipker
Elizabeth
E
Yingling
Amy B
AB
Curtis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012649:Self Concept; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology