title: The Effect of Treadmill-based Incremental Leg Weight Loading Training on the Balance of Stroke Patients.
abstract: [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of treadmill-based gait training using incremental weight loading on the ankle of the affected side on hemiplegic stroke patients' balance. [Subjects] In this study, 30 hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into an incremental weight load group (IWLG, n=15) and a no-load group (NLG, n=15). [Methods] The IWLG performed gait training on treadmills for four weeks wearing a sandbag weighing 3% of the body weight on the affected side ankle, followed by wearing a sandbag weighing 5% of the body weight from the 5th week. The NLG performed similar training without sandbags. [Results] Both the IWLG and the NLG showed significant improvements in balance ability. The IWLG showed a larger decrease in the area and length of movement of the center of pressure in static standing positions after the experiment although the difference was not significant. [Conclusion] We recommend, utilizing the treadmill-based gait training using incremental weight loading on the affected side ankle as a clinical intervention for improving hemiplegic stroke patients' balance ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyo
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gak
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hwangbo
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daegu Catholic University Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Incremental weight load; Stroke; Treadmill