Ann Rehabil Med.  2017 Jun;41(3):376-386. 10.5535/arm.2017.41.3.376.

Efficacy of Aquatic Treadmill Training on Gait Symmetry and Balance in Subacute Stroke Patients

• Lee ME
• Jo GY
• Do HK
• Choi HE
• Kim WJ

• KMID: 2389452
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.3.376

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of aquatic treadmill training (ATT) as a new modality for stroke rehabilitation, by assessing changes in gait symmetry, balance function, and subjective balance confidence for the paretic and non-paretic leg in stroke patients.
METHODS
Twenty-one subacute stroke patients participated in 15 intervention sessions of aquatic treadmill training. The Comfortable 10-Meter Walk Test (CWT), spatiotemporal gait parameters, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC) were assessed pre- and post-interventions.
RESULTS
From pre- to post-intervention, statistically significant improvements were observed in the CWT (0.471±0.21 to 0.558±0.23, p<0.001), BBS (39.66±8.63 to 43.80±5.21, p<0.001), and ABC (38.39±13.46 to 46.93±12.32, p<0.001). The step-length symmetry (1.017±0.25 to 0.990±0.19, p=0.720) and overall temporal symmetry (1.404±0.36 to 1.314±0.34, p=0.218) showed improvement without statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
ATT improves the functional aspects of gait, including CWT, BBS and ABC, and spatiotemporal gait symmetry, though without statistical significance. Further studies are required to examine and compare the potential benefits of ATT as a new modality for stroke therapy, with other modalities.

Keyword

Stroke; Rehabilitation; Gait; Hydrotherapy

MeSH Terms

Gait*
Humans
Hydrotherapy
Leg
Rehabilitation
Stroke*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Aquatic treadmill intervention under the supervision of a physical therapist.

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  Fig. 2 Measuring Comfortable Walk Test and spatiotemporal gait parameters using motion analysis system. (A) Location of the markers for gait analysis. (B) The subject walking at a self-selected and most comfortable velocity on a 12-meter pathway.

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