title: Effects of treadmill training with optic flow on balance and gait in individuals following stroke: randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of treadmill training with optic flow on the functional recovery of balance and gait in stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients following stroke were divided randomly into the treadmill with optic flow group (n = 10), treadmill group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10).
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects in the experimental group wore a head-mounted display to receive speed-modulated optic flow during treadmill training for 30 minutes, while those in the treadmill group and control group received treadmill training and regular therapy for the same time, three times a week for four weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected using timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, 10-m walk test, and six-minute walk test before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The timed up-and-go test in the treadmill with optic flow group (5.55 ± 2.04) improved significantly greater than the treadmill (1.50 ± 0.93) and control (0.40 ± 0.84) groups. The functional reach test in the treadmill with optic flow group (2.78 ± 1.44) was significantly higher than the control group (0.20 ± 0.16) only. The gait velocity in the treadmill with optic flow group (0.21 ± 0.06) showed a significant decrease compared to the treadmill (0.03 ± 0.02) and control (0.01 ± 0.02) groups. Finally, the six-minute walk test in the treadmill with optic flow group (24.49 ± 11.00) showed significant improvement compared to the treadmill training (4.65 ± 3.25) and control (1.79 ± 3.08) groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treadmill using optic flow speed modulation improves the balance and gait significantly in patients with stroke who are able to participate in physical gait training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yijung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Sujin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology; D057849:Optic Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome