Effect of Rhythmic Auditory Cuing on Temporal Stride Parameters and EMG. Patterns in Hemiparetic Gait of Stroke Patients

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of auditory (musical) rhythm on temporal parameters of the stride cycle and electromyographic (EMG) activity in gait of stroke patients. Ten subjects were studied over three trials. Each trial consisted of a baseline walk without rhythm and a walk with rhythm as pacemaker, marched to the step cadence of the baseline walk. Surface EMG on the gastrocnemius muscle and a dual walkway, consisting of pressure-sensitive voltage coded switch mats, were used to record data. Percentage change scores from no-rhythm to rhythm conditions were calculated for statistical analysis. Results showed several significant (p