title: Influence of visual and auditory biofeedback on partial body weight support treadmill training of individuals with chronic hemiparesis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is an important causal factor of deficiency and functional dependence worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the immediate effects of visual and auditory biofeedback, combined with partial body weight supported (PBWS) treadmill training on the gait of individuals with chronic hemiparesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects with chronic hemiparesis and ability to walk with some help.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized to a control group that underwent only PBWS treadmill training; or experimental I group with visual biofeedback from the display monitor, in the form of symbolic feet as the subject took a step; or experimental group II with auditory biofeedback associated display, using a metronome at 115% of the individual's preferred cadence. They trained for 20 minutes and were evaluated before and after training. Spatio-temporal and angular gait variables were obtained by kinematics from the Qualisys Motion Analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increases in speed and stride length were observed for all groups over time (speed: F=25.63; P<0.001; stride length: F=27.18; P<0.001), as well as changes in hip and ankle range of motion - ROM (hip ROM: F=14.43; P=0.001; ankle ROM: F=4.76; P=0.038), with no time*groups interaction. Other spatio-temporal and angular parameters remain unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual biofeedback and auditory biofeedback had no influence on PBWS treadmill training of individuals with chronic hemiparesis, in short term. Additional studies are needed to determine whether, in long term, the biofeedback will promote additional benefit to the PBWS treadmill training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study indicate that visual and auditory biofeedback does not bring immediate benefits on PBWS treadmill training of individuals with chronic hemiparesis. This suggest that, for additional benefits are achieved with biofeedback, effects should be investigated after long-term training, which may determine if some kind of biofeedback is superior to another to improve the hemiparetic gait.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Brasileiro
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gama
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Trigueiro
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Ribeiro
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Silva
authors: É
authors: É
authors: Galvão
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lindquist
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular