Treadmill training with Thera-Band improves motor function, gait and balance in stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of treadmill training with Thera-Band on motor function, gait and balance abilities in patients with stroke.


METHODS
30 participants with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). Participants in both groups received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes before the intervention. Additionally, subject in the experimental group performed treadmill training with Thera-Band for 30 minutes, five times a week for four weeks, while the control group conducted treadmill training only for the same amount of time. To measure motor function, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) was used. Timed-up and Go (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and Performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA) were used to analysis balance and gait abilities.


RESULTS
In FMA, TUG, 10MWT and Gait POMA, there were significant improvements in both groups after intervention. And more significant changes were shown in the experimental group than the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference within group and between the groups in the Balance POMA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that treadmill training with Thera-Band is beneficial and effective to improve motor function of the lower extremities, gait and balance ability in stroke patients.
Department of Physical Therapy, Gimcheon University, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea.
Taesung
T
In
Department of Physical Therapy, Kaiser Rehabilitation Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Youngmi
Y
Jin
Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan college of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kyoungsim
K
Jung
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
Hwi-Young
HY
Cho
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Balance; Thera-Band; gait; stroke