Article

This study examined the effects of treadmill training with optic flow
on the functional recovery of balance and gait in stroke patients. DESIGN:
Randomized controlled experimental study. Participants: Thirty patients following
stroke were divided randomly into the treadmill with optic flow group (n = 10),
treadmill group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). INTERVENTIONS: The subjects
in the experimental group wore a head-mounted display to receive speed-modulated
optic flow during treadmill training for 30 minutes, while those in the treadmill
group and control group received treadmill training and regular therapy for the
same time, three times a week for four weeks. MAIN MEASURES: The data were
collected using timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, 10-m walk test, and
six-minute walk test before and after treatment. RESULTS: The timed up-and-go
test in the treadmill with optic flow group (5.55 +/- 2.04) improved
significantly greater than the treadmill (1.50 +/- 0.93) and control (0.40 +/-
0.84) groups. The functional reach test in the treadmill with optic flow group
(2.78 +/- 1.44) was significantly higher than the control group (0.20 +/- 0.16)
only. The gait velocity in the treadmill with optic flow group (0.21 +/- 0.06)
showed a significant decrease compared to the treadmill (0.03 +/- 0.02) and
control (0.01 +/- 0.02) groups. Finally, the six-minute walk test in the
treadmill with optic flow group (24.49 +/- 11.00) showed significant improvement
compared to the treadmill training (4.65 +/- 3.25) and control (1.79 +/- 3.08)
groups. CONCLUSION: Treadmill using optic flow speed modulation improves the
balance and gait significantly in patients with stroke who are able to participate in physical gait training.

Langue : ANGLAIS