Partial body weight treadmill training in persons with chronic stroke.

Purpose: A series of pilot studies were conducted to examine the effects of partial body weight (PBW) ambulation in people with chronic stroke.

Methods: First, we compared gait characteristics during 3 modes of walking: level ground ambulation; level ground ambulation with PBW; and treadmill ambulation with PBW. Second, we examined the effects of repeated PBW treadmill training during level ground ambulation.

Results: Improved symmetry in stance/swing times and sEMG activity of pre-tibialis and quadriceps muscle groups during PBW either over level ground or on the treadmill occurred in 10 chronic stroke subjects. Increased single limb support and decreased double limb support improved overall gait symmetry during level ground ambulation in 8 subjects following 6--8 weeks repeated PBW treadmill training. Tinetti Balance score also significantly improved. No changes in sEMG were observed.

Conclusion: These results suggest that PBW treadmill may help normalize gait and improve balance in the person with chronic stroke.