The effect of body weight supported treadmill training and muscle tone on motor function of lower extremities of stroke survivors

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on function of lower extremities in stroke survivors, and analyze the influence of quadriceps femoris muscle tone on the therapeutic effect of BWSTT. Methods Thirty-six stroke survivors were randomly divided into a BWSTT group and a conventional therapy group (CT group) according to a random number table, each of 18. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training, while the BWSTT group was additionally provided with BWSTT for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, Fugl-Meyer assessment for lower extremity (FMMS-LE), Berg balance scale (BBS) and Holden walking function rating scale (Holden) were used to assess the motor function of lower extremities, balance function and walking ability of both groups. Meanwhile, the patients in BWSTT group were further divided into a mild-spasm subgroup and a seriously-spasm subgroup according to the modified Ashworth scale assessment result of quadriceps muscle, and the results of their efficacy indexes were further compared. Results No significant difference was found in the average FMMS-LE, Berg and Holden scores between the BWSTT group and CT group before the treatment (P>0.05). However, significantly improvement was found in all the above measurements of both groups after the treatment (P 0.05). The change of FMMS (△FMMS) and Holden (△Holden) after treatment in the mild-spasm subgroup increased more significantly compared with those in the seriously-spasm subgroup, but no significant differences were observed regarding the change of Berg (△Berg) between the two subgroups. Conclusions BWSTT can significantly improve the motor function of lower extremities, balance function and walking ability of stroke survivors. However, hypertone of quadriceps femoris might have adverse effects on the therapeutic effect of BWSTT. Key words: Stroke; Body weight supported treadmill training; Motor function; Muscle tension