Effects of Treadmill Gait Training According to Different Inclination on Postural Balance in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Purpose: This study was to examine the effects of treadmill gait training at different controlled inclinations on the standing balance of hemiplegic patients caused by cerebrovascular injury. Methods: The study's subjects were 44 patients with chronic stroke, randomly divided into three experimental groups: $0^{\circ}$ treadmill gait training (n=14), $5^{\circ}$ treadmill gait training (n=15), and $10^{\circ}$ treadmill gait training (n=15). In addition to conventional physical therapy, the subjects underwent gait training on a treadmill with one of three different inclinations for 30 min per session five times per week for six weeks. The Biodex balance system SD, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go tests were used to measure the postural balance of the patients. Results: This study showed that gait training on a treadmill at controlled inclinations of $0^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$, and $10^{\circ}$ positively influenced the stroke patients' standing balance. The $5^{\circ}$ and $10^{\circ}$ inclination gait training groups showed significantly more improvement than the $0^{\circ}$ inclination group. Conclusion: Gait training on a treadmill with inclinations of $0^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$, or $10^{\circ}$ can be said to positively affect the postural balance of hemiplegic patients due to stroke. In particular, $5^{\circ}$ and $10^{\circ}$ inclination gait training offered more significant improvement than the $0^{\circ}$ inclination gait training group. When added to regular treatment routines, gait training at controlled inclinations is an effective intervention for improving hemiplegia due to postural balance.