Browse > Article

The Effects of Handrails during Treadmill Gait Training in Stroke Patients  

Nam, Seok-Hyun (Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Daegu University)
Kang, Kyung-Woo (Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Daegu University)
Kwon, Jung-Won (Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Daegu University)
Choi, Yong-Won (Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Daegu University)
Kim, Chung-Sun (Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Science, Daegu University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy / v.25, no.1, 2013 , pp. 23-28 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a handrail (presence and position) on treadmill gait and balance in stroke patients during gait training. Methods: 39 patients with stroke (male 31, female 8) participated in this study. The training groups were classified into a no-handrail group (NHG), front handrail group (FHG), and bilateral handrail group (BHG). Each group comprised 13 subjects. The subjects were trained to walk in a straight path 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. The Good Balance System was used to measure static balance and dynamic balance. To measure walking ability, timed up and go (TUG) was also assessed. Results: The NHG showed no significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The FHG was significantly different in their medial-lateral speed of static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The BHG was significantly different in their static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. Conclusion: These findings consider the effects of holding handrails concomitantly with changes in postural stability. We conclude that for training stroke patients, treadmill walking while holding handrails improves balance and gait more than treadmill walking without holding handrails. The resulting changes in muscle activity patterns may facilitate the transfer to a gait pattern. The results of this study suggest methods for training treadmill walking in stroke patients.
Keywords
Stroke; Treadmill handrail; Balance; Walking ability;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Kim MG, Kim JH, Park JW. The effect of turning training on figure of 8 tract on stoke patients' balance and walking. J Korean Soc Phys Ther. 2012;24(2):143-50.   DOI
2 Son SM, Choi YW, Kim CS. Effect of motor functions of ipsilateral upper limb induced by long-term cane usage in chronic stroke patients. J Korean Soc Phys Ther. 2012;24(2):151-6.
3 Horak FB. Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age Ageing. 2006;35 Suppl 2:ii7-11.   DOI
4 Jackson KM, Joseph J, Wyard SJ. A mathematical model of arm swing during human locomotion. J Biomech. 1978;11(6-7):277-89.   DOI
5 Kawashima N, Nozaki D, Abe MO et al. Shaping appropriate locomotive motor output through interlimb neural pathway within spinal cord in humans. J Neurophysiol. 2008;99(6):2946-55.   DOI
6 Ada L, Dean CM, Hall JM et al. A treadmill and overground walking program improves walking in persons residing in the community after stroke: a placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2003;84(10):1486-91.   DOI
7 Visintin M, Barbeau H, Korner-Bitensky N et al. A new approach to retrain gait in stroke patients through body weight support and treadmill stimulation. Stroke. 1998;29(6):1122-8.   DOI
8 Clapp S, Wing AM. Light touch contribution to balance in normal bipedal stance. Exp Brain Res. 1999;125(4):521-4.   DOI
9 Dickstein R, Laufer Y. Light touch and center of mass stability during treadmill locomotion. Gait Posture. 2004;20(1):41-7.   DOI
10 Dickstein R, Shupert CL, Horak FB. Fingertip touch improves postural stability in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Gait Posture. 2001;14(3):238-47.   DOI
11 Lackner JR, DiZio P, Jeka J et al. Precision contact of the fingertip reduces postural sway of individuals with bilateral vestibular loss. Exp Brain Res. 1999;126(4):459-66.   DOI
12 Jeka JJ, Lackner JR. Fingertip contact influences human postural control. Exp Brain Res. 1994;100(3):495-502.   DOI
13 Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed "Up & Go": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39(2):142-8.   DOI
14 Johannsen L, Wing AM, Hatzitaki V. Effects of maintaining touch contact on predictive and reactive balance. J Neurophysiol. 2007;97(4):2686-95.   DOI
15 Lee KS, Kim CS. The effect of medio-lateral balance to head rotation in stroke patient. J Korean Soc Phys Ther. 2012;24(5):334-9.
16 Jeka JJ, Lackner JR. The role of haptic cues from rough and slippery surfaces in human postural control. Exp Brain Res. 1995;103(2):267-76.
17 Huang HJ, Ferris DP. Neural coupling between upper and lower limbs during recumbent stepping. J Appl Physiol. 2004;97(4):1299-308.   DOI
18 Morris S, Morris ME, Iansek R. Reliability of measurements obtained with the Timed "Up & Go" test in people with Parkinson disease. Phys Ther. 2001;81(2):810-8.   DOI
19 Ballesteros ML, Buchthal F, Rosenfalck P. The pattern of muscular activity during the arm swing of natural walking. Acta Physiol Scand. 1965;63:296-310.   DOI
20 Stephenson JL, De Serres SJ, Lamontagne A. The effect of arm movements on the lower limb during gait after a stroke. Gait Posture. 2010;31(1):109-15.   DOI