The Continuous Effects of Gait Training with a Locomotion Interface for Chronic Stroke Patients

• Published in: Rigaku ryoho kagaku Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 123 - 128
• Main Authors: TANAKA, Naoki, SAITOU, Hideyuki, IIZUKA, Noboru, YANO, Hiroaki, OKUNO, Junko, YANAGI, Hisako
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Gait; Hips; Isometrics; Locomotion; Muscles; Patients; Speed; Strength; Stroke
• ISSN: 1341-1667; 2434-2807
• DOI: 10.1589/rika.27.123

The aim of this study was to examine the continuous effects of gait training using a locomotion interface for chronic stroke patients. [Subjects Seven stroke patients participated in this study at 12 months or more after the stroke onset. [Methods Subjects performed gait training using a locomotion interface 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Patients performed the timed up-and-go test (TUG), and we measured gait speed and isometric muscle strength in hip flexion and extension. [Results Significant differences were found in gait speed (p=0.039) and TUG (p=0.036) between before intervention and just after intervention. No significant differences were found in gait speed, TUG, or isometric muscle strength in hip flexion and extension among three time points: just after intervention, at the one-month follow-up, and at the 4-month follow-up. [Conclusions Improvements in the gait and balance ability were after intervention. Furthermore, these improvements were maintained for at least 4 months. Therefore, gait training using a locomotion interface was shown to have continuous effects in this study.