The effect of treadmill training on gait, balance and trunk control in a hemiplegic subject: a single system design.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a period of body weight supported treadmill training on gait in a subject with chronic stroke and to see if there was a carry-over to balance, trunk control and function.

Method: A male subject who had suffered a right CVA 30 months previously was selected for the study. A single system ABA design was used. Outcome measures were taken in the 4-week baseline period. This was followed by a 4-week period of body weight support treadmill training and a further 4 weeks of treatment withdrawal. Outcome measures used were the 10-m walk test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Control Test (TCT), a seated lateral reach test (LRT) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and were collected in all phases of the study.

Results: During the intervention phase, there were significant increases in the BBS and the LRT. No significant changes were found in the TCT or the 10-m walk test. The FIM showed a small improvement in the motor score.

Conclusions: A period of treadmill training has significant carry-over to balance in a subject with chronic hemiplegia.