The effects on gait speed and activity level of a novel body weight supported treadmill training program on a 39-year-old patient with right hemiparesis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Stroke is a disease that can cause neurological impairments that can affect a patient’s ability to ambulate. Research suggests that body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) may improve gait speed and reduce the risk of falls for those with difficulty ambulating. The purpose of this case report is to describe the effects of a novel BWSTT device on the gait speed and fall risk on a 39-year-old patient who had suffered a stroke. Case description: The patient was a 39-year-old female who had suffered a stroke resulting in right side hemiplegia. Over a 4-week period, the patient completed seven sessions of BWSTT with the GlideTrak. The duration of each session and the intervals within the session were performed at the patient’s tolerance for treadmill speed and duration of the interval. Outcomes: Improvement of 35% on the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and 25% on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) indicate that the intervention may have lowered the risk for falls but a 14% increase in the 10 Meter Walk Test time indicated that the intervention didn’t improve the patient’s gait speed as predicted. Discussion: This case report indicates that one month of body weight supported treadmill training using the GlideTrak does not improve gait speed in a patient with hemiplegia, but is shown to have a positive effect on patient’s balance. This intervention may have a role in maintaining a patient’s cardiovascular and overall fitness, but should not be the sole intervention to improve gait speed.