title: Gait Training in Chronic Stroke Using Walk-Even Feedback Device: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Asymmetrical gait and a reduction in weight bearing on the affected side are a common finding in chronic stroke survivors. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of a shoe insole device that we developed, called Walk-Even, in correcting asymmetric gait in chronic stroke survivors. Six individuals with chronic (>6 months) stroke underwent 8 weeks of intervention with 2 sessions/week, each consisting of 20 minutes of gait training and 20 minutes of lower-extremity strength training. The 2 control participants underwent conventional gait training, while 4 participants underwent gait training using the Walk-Even. Following intervention, all the participants improved on most of the gait measures: peak pressure of the foot, time of transfer of weight from heel-to-forefoot, center of pressure (COP) trajectory, COP velocity, asymmetry ratio of stance, mean-force-heel, mean-force-metatarsals, Timed "Up and Go," and Activities-specific Balance Scale. The improvement was more pronounced in the 4 participants that underwent training with Walk-Even compared to the control participants. This pilot study suggests that a combination of strength and gait training with real-time feedback may reduce temporal asymmetry and enhance weight-bearing on the affected side in chronic stroke survivors. A large randomized controlled study is needed to confirm its efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4688-8562
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.affiliation: Electrical Engineering Department, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9585-2454
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.affiliation: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9153-3272
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marayong
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: DeMars
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9827-6165
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cormack