title: Compelled body weight shift approach in rehabilitation of individuals with chronic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the compelled body weight shift (CBWS) therapy approach in the rehabilitation of individuals with chronic stroke. CBWS involves a forced shift of body weight toward a person's affected side by means of a shoe insert that establishes a lift of the nonaffected lower extremity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen individuals with chronic, unilateral stroke (mean age 57.7 ± 11.9 years, with a range of 35-75 years; mean time since stroke 6.7 ± 3.9 years, with a range of 1.1-14.1 years) who showed asymmetrical stance were randomly divided into 2 groups: the experimental group received 6 weeks of physical therapy combined with CBWS therapy, and the control group received only physical therapy. Both groups underwent a battery of identical tests (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, weight bearing, and gait velocity) before the start of the rehabilitation intervention, following its completion, and 3 months after the end of therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, weight bearing on the affected side (measured with the Balance Master) increased in the experimental group to a larger degree compared to the control group (9.7% vs 6.4%). Similarly, gait velocity increased 10.5% in the experimental group compared to the control group. Improvements in weight bearing and gait velocity were maintained in the experimental group after the 3-month retention period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study outcome revealed that a 6-week intervention involving CBWS therapy could result in a long-lasting improvement of the symmetry of weight bearing and velocity of gait in individuals with chronic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Aruin
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Gouri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012775:Shoes; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing