Combining the Treatment Modalities of Body Weight Support Treadmill Training and Thera-Band: A Case Study of an Individual with Hemiparetic Gait

Abstract

Background and purpose: This single-subject case study explored the use of Thera-Band in combination with body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) during gait retraining of an individual with hemiparesis. Thera-Band was configured around the hemiparetic lower extremity (LE) to assist dorsiflexion and eversion during swing phase and proper foot placement during stance phase of the gait cycle. Use of the Thera-Band was meant to eliminate the need for manual assistance or an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) during BWSTT. Methods: The participant took part in three 10-minute training sessions 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Data collection, which occurred at baseline and during weeks 5 and 10, included hand-held dynamometry of the hemiparetic LE, LE portion of the Fugl-Meyer, 10-meter walk test, Tinetti Balance Test, and Rand Short Form-36 Questionnaire. Results: At no time was it necessary for the researcher to physically assist the participant during the gait retraining, and the hemiparetic foot demonstrated adequate clearance during swing and proper placement during stance. Strength, balance, gait parameters, and quality of life improvements were noted. Conclusion: Using Thera-Band in combination with the BWSTT eliminated the need for a therapist to manually assist the hemiparetic limb and/or the need for an AFO in this single-subject study.

Keywords:

• BWSTT
• hemiparetic gait
• Thera-Band