Reports on the amount of unloading maximizing walking ability in patients with stroke are limited. The effect of body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) in patients with stroke has not been clarified. We aimed to investigate the effects of unloading rate during BWSTT on the gait of patients with stroke and the relationship between BWSTT and walking ability on flat ground. [Participants and Methods] We performed BWSTT in 17 patients at three unloading rates: 0%, 20%, and 40%. Then, we examined the walking speed and rate, number of steps, single-leg support time ratio, and root mean square before and after unloading. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between walking ability on flat ground and immediate effects of BWSTT at each unloading rate. [Results] We observed no significant improvement under all conditions. However, walking ability improved at unloading rates of 20% and 40%, with poor temporal symmetry while walking on flat ground. [Conclusion] Our results revealed that BWSTT has diverse effects depending on the unloading rate and the ability to walk on flat ground. In particular, it tends to be highly effective for those who have poor sway and symmetry, which may serve as an index for prescribing BWSTT.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine if gait index predicts the efficacy of weight-support treadmill training (BWSTT) in hemiplegic stroke patients. [Participants and Methods] In total, 21 patients who had sustained a hemiplegic stroke, on an average 71 days prior, and could walk independently on level ground were included in the study. BWSTT was performed under 20% of bodyweight unloading at the maximum speed possible for each participant to a perceived level of fatigue of 15 on the 20-point Borg scale. The immediate effects of BWSTT were evaluated as the change in the following variables, calculated from 5 level ground gait cycles; walking speed and rate, root mean square, coefficient of variability, auto-correlation coefficient, and single leg stance time ratio. All indices were calculated from the triaxial accelerometer attached to the waist of the participant. Linear regression was used to identify predictive variables of BWSTT effectiveness. [Results] Only single leg stance time ratio on level ground was extracted as a predictor of BWSTT effectiveness. [Conclusion] Single leg stance time ratio was a predictive factor of improved gait symmetry after BWSTT and therefore, could be used as a factor to select patients who might benefit from BWSTT as a component of stroke rehabilitation.