The Effect of Treadmill-based Incremental Leg Weight Loading Training on the Balance of Stroke Patients

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 235 - 237
• Main Authors: Park, Jae Hyo, Hwangbo, Gak, Kim, Jun Soo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Incremental weight load; Original; Stroke; Treadmill; Treadmill; Stroke; Incremental weight load
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.26.235

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of treadmill-based gait training using incremental weight loading on the ankle of the affected side on hemiplegic stroke patients’ balance. [Subjects] In this study, 30 hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into an incremental weight load group (IWLG, n=15) and a no-load group (NLG, n=15). [Methods] The IWLG performed gait training on treadmills for four weeks wearing a sandbag weighing 3% of the body weight on the affected side ankle, followed by wearing a sandbag weighing 5% of the body weight from the 5th week. The NLG performed similar training without sandbags. [Results] Both the IWLG and the NLG showed significant improvements in balance ability. The IWLG showed a larger decrease in the area and length of movement of the center of pressure in static standing positions after the experiment although the difference was not significant. [Conclusion] We recommend, utilizing the treadmill-based gait training using incremental weight loading on the affected side ankle as a clinical intervention for improving hemiplegic stroke patients’ balance ability.