Journal of Physical Therapy Science
Online ISSN : 2187-5626
Print ISSN : 0915-5287
ISSN-L : 0915-5287
Original Articles
The Effects of Stair Walking Training on the Balance Ability of Chronic Stroke Patients
JeonHyeng LeeKyoChul Seo
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Keywords: Strokes, Balance, Stair gait
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2014 Volume 26 Issue 4 Pages 517-520

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Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of stair walking training on balance ability of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Forty stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group undertook 30 minutes of training therapy and 30 minutes of walking exercise on stairs with flat surfaces. The control group undertook 30 minutes went of training therapy and 30 minutes of walking exercise on a flat surface. All the participants had five training sessions each week for four weeks. A Biorescue system was used to measure the weight-bearing footprint, anterior length in the limit of stability, posterior length in the limit of stability, surface area ellipse of Romberg, and length of Romberg before and after the training. [Results] With regard to changes in the weight-bearing footprint, the anterior length in the limit of stability, and the posterior length in the limit of stability, there were significant differences on both the paretic and nonparetic sides, and there were also significant differences in the surface area ellipse of Romberg and length of Romberg after the intervention. [Conclusion] The experiment results showed that walking exercise on stairs is effective in enhancing balance performance. The same exercise can be applied to patients with other types of neurological disorders to improve their balance.

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© 2014 by the Society of Physical Therapy Science

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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