Citation

Kim YW, Moon SJ. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 2015; 27(9): 2935-2938.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, Jeonbuk University Hospital of Rehabilitation Medicine, Republic of Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Society of Physical Therapy Science)

DOI

10.1589/jpts.27.2935

PMID

26504328

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of treadmill walking with the eyes closed and open on the gait and balance abilities of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The treadmill gait training for each group lasted 40 minutes, and sessions were held 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Gait ability was measured using a Biodex Gait Trainer Treadmill System. Balance ability was measured using a Biodex Balance System. [Results] After the treadmill training' the treadmill training with eyes closed (TEC) group showed significant improvements in walking distance' step length' coefficient of variation' and limit of stability (overall' lateral affected' forward lateral unaffected) compared to the treadmill training with eyes open (TEO) group. [Conclusion] The walking and balance abilities of the TEC participants showed more improvement after the treadmill walking sessions than those of the TEO participants. Therefore' treadmill walking with visual deprivation may be useful for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke.

Language: en