Effect of gait rehabilitation with a footpad-type locomotion interface on gait ability in subacute stroke patients.

Abstract

Gait rehabilitation using a footpad-type locomotion interface has been reported as effective in improving gait ability in chronic stroke patients. However, the effect on subacute stroke patients is unknown. To compare the effect of gait rehabilitation using a footpad-type locomotion interface (Gait Training with Locomotion Interface group; GTLI group) with conventional gait rehabilitation (control group) in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-one stroke patients (GTLI group: n = 13, control group: n = 8) participated in the study. All participants received gait rehabilitation using the footpad-type locomotion interface or conventional gait rehabilitation for 20 minutes x 20 sessions. Outcome measures were functional ambulation Category (FAC), gait speed, gait endurance and lower muscle strength. Measures were taken at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The GTLI group significantly improved gait speed and gait endurance compared with the control group. However, FAC and lower limb muscle strength were not significantly different. The results suggest that gait rehabilitation using the footpad-type locomotion interface can improve gait ability better than conventional gait rehabilitation.