• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.73-79
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• 2008

Background : Treadmill training has been proposed as a useful adjunct to conventional physical therapy to restore ability to walk after stroke. The purpose of this study to inform clinical practise by evaluating the research evidence for the effectiveness of treadmill training after stroke. Methods : We searched to the effectiveness of any form of intervention for effect of treadmill training by Dankook University electronic library databases of Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Amed and PEDro combined with a hand search of papers published in relevant peer-reviewed journals. Any type of study relevant to the topic published in English during time period from 1980 to 2007 was included. Results : The literature search identified 35 studies. The included studies enrolled a total of 374 subjects. 1. Treadmill retraining without partial body weight support might be more effective than no treatment at improving gait velocity, get up and go time, gait endurance and step length symmetry. 2. Treadmill retraining with partial body weight support might be more effective than no treatment in improving step length symmetry, gait velocity, gait endurance and balance. 3. Treadmill retraining might be more effective with partial body weight support than without it at improving gait velocity and motor improvement as measured by The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement(STREAM). 4. Treadmill retraining without partial body weight support may be no different from physiotherapy and increase gait velocity to conventional gait therapy. 5. Treadmill retraining with partial body weight support may be no different from physiotherapy for gait velocity, motor recovery and balance. Conclusion The review suggests that although treadmill training of gait, especially with partial body weight support, might Improve gait parameters and functional mobility, unless treadmill training is directed at Improving gait speed it might be no more effective than conventional physical therapy at improving gait parameters.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Background: Many studies regarding task-oriented training have recently demonstrated functional improvement in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The task-oriented approach is very diverse, and chronic stroke patients must have access to a sustained systematic treatment program to enhance their walking ability. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of the task-oriented circuit training and treadmill training on walking function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a task-oriented circuit training group and a treadmill training group with 7 patients in each. Each training regimen was performed for 30 min a day and 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), 10-m Walk Test, 6-min Walk Test (6MWT), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Results: The change in results of the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS measured prior to and following the training regimens appeared to be significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). In addition, after the intervention, significant differences were found for all parameters in the task-oriented circuit training group and for the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS in the treadmill training group (p<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that task-related circuit training and treadmill training may be helpful to improve walking function and quality of life of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Additionally, a task-related circuit training program may achieve more favorable outcomes than a treadmill program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of treadmill training applied simultaneously with gait related action observation on walking ability in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into either the treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation training group (TAG) or treadmill applied simultaneously with landscape observation training group (TLG). The participants in both group underwent treadmill training for four weeks (a total of twelve minute, once a day, three times weekly for a four week period). All participants were measured to gait speed (10 m walking test, 10 MWT), gait endurance (6 minute walk distance, 6 MWD), dynamic gait index (DGI). In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, we used for SPSS 15.0 for windows. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare pre-test and post-test result, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was employed for comparison between groups. Results: The 10 MWT, 6 MWD, DGI was significantly different between the TAG and the TLG group. Conclusion: According the results of this study, treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation (TAG) is effective intervention for improvement of walking ability in chronic stroke patient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.71-78
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate which treadmill walking training mode is more effective strategy for improving pulmonary function of persons with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-one chronic stroke patients were allocated and randomly to an experimental group (treadmill training with randomized speed control, n=11) and a control group (treadmill training without speed change, n=10). All participants received 30 minutes of neurodevelopmental treatment. In addition, the two groups performed treadmill training for 20 minutes each time with or without speed change. Speed change was applied 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% of Heart Rate Reserve. All the exercise programs lasted six weeks, with five times per week. Pulmonary function was assessed before and after exercise program by using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). RESULTS: In the both groups, FEV1 was significantly increased after training (p<.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed 11.9% larger amount of change (p<.05). In the experimental group, FVC and MVV were significantly increased after training (9.9%, 7.6%, respectively) (p<.05). But in the control group, there was no significant difference in the FVC and MVV after training. CONCLUSION: Treadmill training with randomized speed control will be a better positive rehabilitation program than treadmill training without speed change to improve pulmonary function in persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system on the gait and balance of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, who received treadmill gait training in an adjusted position, or the control group, who received regular treadmill gait training. Both groups underwent a 30-minute comprehensive rehabilitation treatment before receiving an additional 20-minute treadmill gait training. This routine was repeated five times a week for four weeks. To measure the difference before and after training in walking and balance, patients were scored on the following: 10 m walking test (10 MWT), 6 minute walking distance (6 MWD), timed up and go test (TUG), and static standing balance test (stability index). RESULTS: While post-training scores of 10 MWT, 6 MWD, TUG, and stability index for both groups increased significantly compared with pre-training (p<.05), the experimental group showed greater improvement than the control group (p<.05). The scores of the experimental group increased significantly by 9% in the 10 MWT, 11% in 6 MWD, 13% in the TUG, 8% in the stability Index (eye opened), and 10% in the stability index (eye closed). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system would be a useful gait training method to improve walking and balance of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.169-185
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the effect size for pulmonary function and gait capacity of treadmill exercise in stroke patients. In addition, we aimed to examine the current status of treadmill interventions and compare the effect sizes of treadmill training to provide evidence-based practice for future development and application. Methods : The meta-analysis study was conducted using research articles that applied treadmill exercise to stroke patients and were published between January 2005 and February 2020. For a systematic meta-analysis, we conducted a search using the PICOS framework and selected 25 domestic stroke- and treadmill-related studies. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program was used to calculate the effect sizes for lung function and gait capacity (6-minute walk test and 10 m walk test). As Cohen's d has a tendency to overestimate the effect size, we used Hedge's g to increase the accuracy in computing the effect size. Results : Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the total effect size of treadmill exercise was 0.535, which was statistically significant, with a medium effect size (p<0.05). The effects of treadmill exercise in stroke patients were divided into dependent variables, namely pulmonary function (0.372) and gait capacity (0.584). In addition, for gait capacity, the effect sizes were evaluated for both the 6-minute walk test (0.756) and the 10 m walk test (0.514). Conclusion : This study provides objective evidence of the effectiveness of treadmill-based gait training programs. We hope that the results of this study will help support the development and implementation of treadmill-based gait training in stroke patients. Treadmill training is expected to improve not only pulmonary function, but also the gait capacity of stroke patients. Long-term investigations on the effects of treadmill training in stroke patients are necessary.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2017

Purpose: This study compares the effects of treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback and general treadmill gait training on the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke. Methods: A total of 11 patients with chronic stroke were randomly divided into either the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group (six patients) or the general treadmill gait training group (five patients). The gait and balance ability of the two groups were measured before and after the interventions using the functional reach test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test. The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group performed the exercise under the supervision of a therapist after first being provided with a hat and a goal that was devised for the purpose of providing visual feedback information. The interventions were applied to the respective groups for four weeks. For the statistical analysis, we conducted a Mann-Whitney test to compare the results between the two groups. Additionally, the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results from before and after the intervention in each group. Results: The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a significant difference in terms of the functional reach test after the intervention when compared to the general treadmill gait training group (p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference, the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a larger improvement in the TUG test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test than the general treadmill gait training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback can be used as a beneficial intervention scheme for the recovery of the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare to aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill gait training to improve balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where nine subjects were in the aquatic treadmill group, eight subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group, and ten subjects in the control group. Subjects in the aquatic treadmill group and the anti-gravity treadmill group received gait training during 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy during 30 minutes, with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas pre-post intervention (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that aquatic treadmill group and anti-gravity treadmill group had significantly improved in BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison between the aquatic treadmill and the anti-gravity treadmill group. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggested that aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill improves balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.19-29
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• 2019

Purpose : To determine whether an advanced rehabilitation therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy consisting of sensorimotor exercises that would be superior to a usual treadmill training in gait ability and fall risk in subacute stroke patients. Methods : Thirty subjects randomly assigned to either multi-sensorimotor training group (n=19) or treadmill training group (n=18). Both groups first performed conventional physical therapy for 30 min, after which the multi-sensorimotor training group performed multi-sensorimotor training for 30 min, and the treadmill training group performed treadmill gait training for 30 min. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Gait ability was evaluated using the GAITRite system and Fall risk was measured using the Biodex Balance system before intervention and after 8 weeks. Results : There were no intergroup differences between demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline (p>.05). Both groups showed a significant improvement in gait ability (p<.05) and Fall risk (p<.05). In particular, the multi-sensorimotor training group showed more significant differences in gait velocity (p=.05), step length (p=.01) and stride length (p=.014) than the treadmill training group. Conclusion : The multi-sensorimotor training program performed on multiple types of sensory input had beneficial effect on gait ability. A large-scale randomized controlled study is needed to prove the effect of this training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 2001

This study addresses the effects of treadmill training on hyperextended knee and cadence in patients with hemiplegia. A single subject research design with multiple baselines across individuals was used for the study. Two patients with hemiplegia participated in the experiment. The experiment consisted of interventions where the patients were asked to ambulate for 15 minutes at a comfortable walking speed on the treadmill with 11% slope grade and were allowed to rest for 10 minutes. Patients, then, were asked to ambulated 20 meters at walkway. The number of occurrences of knee hyperextension and the total number of steps were recorded. The results showed that the occurrence of knee hyperextension decreased by approximately 30% after the first session of the treadmill training and continued to gradually decrease during the following sets of treadmill training. Meanwhile, there was a slight increase in the cadence to a negligible extent. These results suggest that the gait training on the sloped treadmill may be helpful for correcting the knee hyperextension in patients with hemiplegia.