IMPACT OF GAIT TRAINING FOR BALANCE TO PATIENTS AFTER STROKE

Abstract

Summary Imbalance is one of the most frequent malfunctions for patients after stroke. This leads to sedentary lifestyle with limited physical activity and reduces the capacity of the cardiovascular system. Novelty: gait adjustment and training with variability training method. Relevance: balance and gait remain impaired for the majority of patients undergoing rehabilitation. The paper assessed the principles of variability affect balance in gait training. Objectives: 1. Assess gait and balance in the experimental groups before and after rehabilitation. 2. Assess gait and balance in the control group before and after rehabilitation. 3. Compare the change of test indicators of gait and balance in the experimental and control groups after rehabilitation. Methods of the research: The study included 48 patients (25 in experimental group, 23 in control group) stroke. Patients’ age is 60-70 years. Selection criteria: Barthel index score 50-65, MMT (Mini Mental Test) not less than 11 points. The following tests were carried out on patients: 1. “Stand and walk” test. 2. Berg Balance Scale rating. 3. Tinetti Gait Assessment Test. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 package. Results: In the beginning of the study control and experimental groups had Berg Balance scale average of 28.78 and 28,64 points, “Stand and walk” test average 48,26s and 51,44s, Tinetti gait assessment test average 4,57 and 4,64 points. The data obtained in the study were statistically significant (p<0,05). At the end of the study a statistically significant change in results was observed, that is control and experimental groups had Berg Balance scale average of 48,17 and 51,12 points, “Stand and walk” test average 38,39 s and 30,80 s, Tinetti gait assessment test average 9,83 and 10,56 points. Summarizing it could be stated that the findings showed that both groups improving gait function improved balance. Conclusions: 1. Patients in experimental group before rehabilitation were able to walk with help, results of “Stand and walk” test were significantly different from the norm, and at the end of rehabilitation they were independent and reached walking speed norm (p<0,05). 2. Patients in control group before rehabilitation were able to walk with help, results of “Stand and walk” test were significantly different from the norm, but at the end of rehabilitation even they became independent their walking speed was significantly lower than the norm (p<0,05). 3. Patients in the experimental and control group had similar characteristic of Berg and Tinetti tests at the end of rehabilitation, but walking speed in the experimental groups was significantly better (p<0,05). 4. Principle of variability in gait training strongly influence change in gait velocity and improve balance for patients after stroke.