[Purpose] Most previous studies have shown that body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) can improve gait speed poststroke patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of a short-term intensive program using BWSTT among community dwelling poststroke survivors. [Subjects] Eighteen subjects participated in this study. The treatment group was composed of 10 subjects (2 women; 8 men; mean age, 59.1 ± 12.5 years; time since stroke onset, 35.3 ± 33.2 months), whereas the control group was made up of 8 subjects (3 women; 5 men; mean age, 59.8 ± 6.3 years; time since stroke onset, 39.3 ± 27.3 months). [Methods] The treatment group received BWSTT 3 times a week for 4 weeks (a total of 12 times), with each session lasting 20 minutes. The main outcome measures were maximum gait speed on a flat floor, cadence, and step length. [Results] No differences were observed in the baseline clinical data between the 2 groups. The gait speed in the treatment group was significantly improved compared with that in the control by 2-way ANOVA, while the other parameters showed no significant interaction. [Conclusion] These results suggested that short-term intensive gait rehabilitation using BWSTT was useful for improving gait ability among community dwelling poststroke subjects.

This pilot study showed that gait rehabilitation using the GaitMaster4 was a feasible training method for chronic stroke patients. Calculation of the sample size indicated that a sample size of 38 participants would be adequate to test a null hypothesis of nil benefit additional to routine rehabilitation for chronic stroke patients in a future randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to examine the continuous effects of gait training using a locomotion interface for chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] Seven stroke patients participated in this study at 12 months or more after the stroke onset. [Methods] Subjects performed gait training using a locomotion interface 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Patients performed the timed up-and-go test (TUG), and we measured gait speed and isometric muscle strength in hip flexion and extension. [Results] Significant differences were found in gait speed (p=0.039) and TUG (p=0.036) between before intervention and just after intervention. No significant differences were found in gait speed, TUG, or isometric muscle strength in hip flexion and extension among three time points: just after intervention, at the one-month follow-up, and at the 4-month follow-up. [Conclusions] Improvements in the gait and balance ability were after intervention. Furthermore, these improvements were maintained for at least 4 months. Therefore, gait training using a locomotion interface was shown to have continuous effects in this study.