Effects of task-oriented treadmill-walking training on walking ability of stoke patients.
BACKGROUND
Generally, treadmill-walking training focuses on weight bearing and the speed of walking. However, changes in direction, speed, and slope while walking require adaptation.


OBJECTIVE
The effects of task-oriented treadmill-walking training (TOTWT) on the walking ability of stroke patients were evaluated.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the task-oriented treadmill-walking training (TOTWT) group and the conventional treadmill-walking training (CTWT) group. Evaluation was performed before the commencement of the training and again 4 and 8 wk after training was initiated. The OptoGait system measured gait parameters. The Timed Up and Go test and 6-min walk test were also performed.


RESULTS
Within each group, both the TOTWT and the CTWT groups significantly differed before and after the intervention in all tests (P <  0.05); the CTWT group showed greater improvement in all tests following TOTWT (P <  0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
TOTWT improves gait and rehabilitation in the stroke-affected limb, and also improves general gait characteristics.
Department of Physical Therapy, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital , Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Oh-hyuk
OH
Kwon
Youngkeun
Y
Woo
Ju-sang
JS
Lee
Kyung-hoon
KH
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
Gait; Stroke; Task-oriented; Treadmill