title: Changes of pelvis control with subacute stroke: A comparison of body-weight- support treadmill training coupled virtual reality system and over-ground training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gait recovery is very important to stroke survivors to regain their independence in activity of daily life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) coupled body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) on pelvic control at the early stage of stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kinematic and kinetic changes of pelvic motion were evaluated by a 3D gait analysis system and were compared to the results from over-ground walking training. Twenty-four patients having unilateral hemiplegia with subacute stroke were recruited to a VR coupled BWSTT group (n= 12) and a conventional therapy (CT) group (n= 12). Both of the groups received training of 20-40 min/day, 5 days/week, for 3 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed the tilt of pelvis in sagittal plane improved significantly (P= 0.038) after treatment in the BWSTT+VR group, in terms of decreased amplitude of anterior peak (mean, from 10.99° to 6.25°), while there were no significant differences in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggested that VR coupled BWSTT gait training could decrease anterior tilt of pelvis in early hemiparetic persons following a modest intervention dose, and the training may have advantages over conventional over-ground gait training and can assist the therapists in correcting abnormal gait pattern of stroke survivors.
authors.forename: Yurong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Peiming
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lifang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Le
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dongfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D016138:Walking
keywords: Body weight support; gait analysis; pelvic control; stroke; virtual reality