3,087
Views
33
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Papers

Body weight supported treadmill training versus traditional training in patients dependent on walking assistance after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

, , &
Pages 210-219 | Accepted 01 May 2011, Published online: 16 Dec 2011
 

Abstract

Purpose: Treadmill training with body weight support (TTBWS) for relearning walking ability after brain damage is an approach under current investigation. Efficiency of this method beyond traditional training is lacking evidence, especially in patients needing walking assistance after stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate change in walking and transfer abilities, comparing TTBWS with traditional walking training. Methods: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients referred for multi-disciplinary primary rehabilitation were assigned into one of two intervention groups, one received 30 sessions of TTBWS plus traditional training, the other traditional training alone. Daily training was 1 hr. Outcome measures were Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Walking, Functional Independence Measure (FIM); shorter transfer and stairs, 10 m and 6-min walk tests. Results: Substantial improvements in walking and transfer were shown within both groups after 5 and 11 weeks of intervention. Overall no statistical significant differences were found between the groups, but 12 of 17 physical measures tended to show improvements in favour of the treadmill approach. Conclusions: Both training strategies provided significant improvements in the tested activities, suggesting that similar outcomes can be obtained in the two modalities by systematic, intensive and goal directed training.

Implications for Rehabilitation

  • Treadmill training with body weight support (TTBWS) and traditional gait training were found to be equally effective in improving walking and transfer in patients dependent on walking assistance after stroke.

  • However, most outcome measures showed a tendency of improvement in favour of the treadmill group.

  • Both training modalities were systematic, goal-directed and intensive, and the time used for training was the same.

  • The choice between the two equally effective training alternatives should be based on the patients’ preference, and availability of equipment and resources.

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority for financial research support. Thanks to the participants; the patients, therapists, assessors and the staff at the brain department for contributions to fulfil this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 374.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.