Effects of Thera-band Resisted Treadmill Training on Walking Ability in Chronic Stroke Patients
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Chronic Stroke
- Sponsor
- Sang-I Lin
- Enrollment
- 80
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Balance
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if treadmill training combined with thera-band resistance to body support and forward propulsion would be more effective than treadmill training alone in improving over-ground walking ability and reducing energy cost in chronic stroke patients. This study will also characterize the neuromuscular and kinematic strategies to adapt to resisted treadmill walking in non-impaired adults and stroke patients.
Detailed Description
This study includes chronic stroke patients who will be randomly assigned to treadmill training combined with thera-band or treadmill training alone group to receive 30 min per session, 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks walking training . Functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), gait characteristics during preferred and maximal speed level walking, and oxygen uptake during 5-minute bouts of treadmill walking will be assessed before and after training and at 2-month follow-up. Clinical sensorimotor function assessment, including hand grip strength, plantar sensitivity, stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement and Fugl-Meyer lower extremity motor scale will also be conducted for subject characterization.
Investigators
Sang-I Lin
Professor
National Cheng Kung University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •the diagnosis of first time unilateral stroke more than 6 months before
- •the ability to walk for at least 15 m without person assistance
- •apparent gait deficits upon visual inspection by a trained physical therapist or inability in community ambulation, i.e. walking speed \< 0.8 m/s
- •resting blood pressure lower than 150/90 mmHg.
Exclusion Criteria
- •older than 75 years
- •inability to follow the experimental instructions or procedures
- •any pain, inflammation, or other conditions that could affect walking
- •medically unstable.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Balance
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Berg Balance scale Minimum scale = 0 Maximum scale = 56 Higher scores indicate better functional balance.
stride characteristics
Time Frame: 8 weeks
Wearable movement sensors will be used to measure walking speed, stride length and time, and gait cycle. Ground reaction forces during walking. A force platform will be used to measure ground reaction forces and center of pressure.
Walking oxygen uptake
Time Frame: 8 weeks
A Ultima Cordi 02 machine will be used to measure VO2 during 5-minute bouts of treadmill walking.