Effects of Biodex system assisted task-specific walking training on lower limb motor function in patients with stroke

QU Ya-ping; SUN Li; ZHU Lin; SONG Wei-qun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-5921.2014.05.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of Biodex system assisted task-specific walking training on lower limb motor function after stroke. Methods Forty hemiplegic patients with balance and lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke were enrolled. They were divided into either a balance training group or a control group according to their case numbers (n=20 in each group). The control group only received conventional rehabilitation treatment. On the basis of conventional rehabilitation treatment,the patients in the balance training group also received Biodex system assisted task-specific walking training. The stability index of lower-extremity,Berg Balance Scale (BBS)score,Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), maximum walking speed and stride length,Fugl-Meyer Assessment (lower-extremity)(FMA-L)score, modified Barthel Index (MBI),and Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC)were used to evaluate the patients of both groups before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. The balance and lower extremity motor function of the patients were assessed comprehensively. Results Before treatment,there were no significant differences in various indicators between the two groups (P>0. 05). After treatment,all the indicators were better than before treatment in both groups. There were significant differences (P<0. 01);the improvement degrees of the stability index (6. 5 ± 1. 3 vs. 8. 5 ± 2. 1),BBS score (49 ± 4 vs. 34 ± 3 min),TUGT (13. 5 ± 3. 2 s vs. 22. 3 ± 2. 8 s),maximum walking speed (60 ± 23 m/min vs. 50 ± 21 m/min),maximum stride length (54 ± 12 m vs. 42 ± 11 m),FMA score (31 ± 4 vs. 24 ± 5),MBI score (81 ± 14 vs. 70 ± 11), and FAC grading score (4. 31 ± 0. 39 vs. 3. 21 ± 0. 19)of the balance training group were all better than those of the control group. There were significant differences (P <0. 01 or P <0. 05 ). Conclusion Using Biodex system assisted task-specific walking training has a obvious improvement for the balance and lower limb motor function in patients after stroke.