The continuous effects of gait training with a locomotion interface for chronic stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] 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.