Yubin Lee

Background: the effects of gait training based on the positioning of affected foot muscle activity, gait parameters, and balance ability were investigated in patients with subacute stroke. Material and Methods: Forty-five patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to three groups: straight gait training (SGT) group (n = 15), outward curved gait training group (OCGT) with the paretic foot positioned laterally (n = 15), or inward curved gait training (ICGT) group with the paretic foot positioned medially (n = 15). All groups received 30 min interventions, comprising 15 min of gait training, five times per week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured in terms of muscle activation of the gluteus maximus (GM), vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis; five gait parameters (step length, stance phase, swing phase, velocity, and maximum force); and balance ability assessed using the timed up and go (TUG) test. Results: All groups exhibited significant improvements in all variables after the four-week intervention period (p < 0.05). Specifically, the overall muscle activation and gait parameters for each group increased as follows: the SGT showed increases of 38.8% and 5.7%, respectively; the OCGT exhibited improvements of 38.9% and 7.4%; and the ICGT demonstrated enhancements of 59.8% and 9.2%. However, except for comparisons between the SGT and ICGT groups in terms of GM muscle activity and TUG, no significant differences were observed between the groups for the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: although patients with subacute stroke can improve their overall physical function regardless of the gait training method, ICGT may be more effective in enhancing muscle activity and balance ability.

Background: The effects of gait training based on the positioning of affected foot muscle activity, gait parameters, and balance ability were investigated in patients with subacute stroke. Material and Methods: Forty-five patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to three groups: straight gait training (SGT) group (n = 15), outward curved gait training group with the paretic foot positioned laterally (n = 15), or inward curved gait training (ICGT) group with the paretic foot positioned medially (n = 15). All groups received 30-minute interventions, comprising 15 min of gait training, five times per week for four weeks. Outcomes were measured in terms of muscle activation of the gluteus maximus (GM), vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis; five gait parameters (step length, stance phase, swing phase, velocity, and maximum force); and balance ability assessed using the timed up and go (TUG) test. Results: All groups exhibited significant improvements in all variables after the 4-week intervention period (p < 0.05). However, except for comparisons between the SGT and ICGT groups in terms of GM muscle activity and TUG, no significant differences were observed between the groups for the other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Although patients with subacute stroke can improve their overall physical function regardless of the gait training method, ICGT may be more effective in enhancing muscle activity and balance ability.

(1) Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of curved-path stride gait training on the gait ability of patients with stroke. (2) Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly assigned to curved-path stride gait training (n = 15) and general gait training groups (n = 15). Both groups underwent training for 30 min five times a week for 8 weeks. The gait ability of each was assessed using the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test, 10-meter walk test, and Figure-of-8 walk test (F8WT). (3) Results: The curved-path gait training group showed significant differences in the DGI, TUG test, 10-m walk test, and F8WT pre- versus post- intervention (p < 0.05). The general gait training group showed no significant difference in F8WT pre- versus post-intervention (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant intergroup difference in gait ability (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Curved-path gait training resulted in greater improvement in gait ability than general gait training. Therefore, curved-path gait training can be a meaningful intervention for improving the gait ability of patients with stroke.

Yu-bin Lee, BPT, PT, Ui-jae Hwang, PhD, PT, Oh-yun Kwon, PhD, PT. Phys. Ther. Korea 2021;28:108-16. https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2021.28.2.108