title: Effects of gait training with a cane and an augmented pressure sensor for enhancement of weight bearing over the affected lower limb in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gait training when using a cane with an augmented pressure sensor for enhancement of weight-bearing over the affected lower limb on the peak pressure force of the cane, muscle activation, and gait in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient rehabilitation center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 22 hemiparetic stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 11) and control group, which later had a drop-out (n = 10).
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects in the experimental group participated in gait training with auditory feedback for 30 minutes, five times a week for four weeks, whereas those in the control group received gait training without auditory feedback for the same amount of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The peak force of cane, muscle activation of gluteus medius, and vastus medialis oblique, single limb support phase of the affected leg, and gait speed before and after training were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement in the peak force of cane, muscle activation of gluteus medius and vastus medialis oblique, single limb support phase of the affected leg, and gait speed were observed in the experimental group (13.5 ±9.5 cm/s) compared with the control group (3.7 ±8.4 cm/s) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gait training using a cane with an augmented pressure sensor to enhance weight bearing over the affected lower limb is beneficial and effective in improving the peak force of cane, muscle activation, and gait in stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoungsim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Shin-Hwa Rehabilitation Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: In
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Cheju Halla University, Jeju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Goo
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea yijung36@syu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yijung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D002183:Canes; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Biofeedback; cane; gait; pressure sensor; stroke