The elastic-taping method of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) concept is nonexistent. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effect of treadmill training (TT) using PNF lower-leg taping (PNFLT) on walking and balance ability in patients with stroke. There were a total of 27 patients: a stroke allocated control group (n=13) and an experimental group (n=14). The control group performed the TT and the experimental group performed the TT using PNF taping five times a week for 6 weeks. Walking and balance ability were measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), the 10-m walking test (10MWT), and the timed up and go test (TUG). Before and after the intervention, a paired t-test was performed to compare different within-group differences. Independent t-tests were performed to compare different between-group differences. All statistical significance levels were set at α of 0.05. After intervention, 6MWT, 10MWT and TUG improved significantly in PNFLT-TT and TT group (P<0.01). After intervention, the PNFLT-TT group showed more effective changes that the TT group in 6MWT, 10MWT, and TUG (P<0.05 and <0.01) between PNFLT-TT and TT group. The intervention of PNFLT-TT was effective in improving walking and balance ability in patients with stroke. Basic elastic tape for the PNF concept and TT may be useful interventions as a program to improve walking and balance ability in patients with stroke.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragm and deep abdominal muscle exercise (DDAME) on walking ability (WA) and balance ability (BA) in subjects with hemiplegia due to stroke. Study subjects consisted of twenty patients diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke. They were randomized into a control group (CG) (n=10) that performed traditional exercise and an experimental group (EG) (n=10) that performed DDAME. The WA was measured using the 10-m walking test (10MWT) and 6-min walk test (6MWT). The BA was measured using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg’s balance scale (BBS). Paired t-test was performed to compare differences within the groups before and after intervention. The analysis of covariance was performed to compare the differences between the EG and CG. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Within-group changes in 10MWT and 6MWT were significantly different in both the EG (P<0.05) and CG (P<0.05). There was significantly more improvement in the 10MWT and 6MWT in the EG than in the CG (P<0.05). Within-group changes in TUG and BBS were significantly different in both the EG (P<0.05) and the CG (P<0.05). There was significantly more improvement in TUG and BBS in the EG than in the CG (P<0.05). DDAME program, with diaphragm and inspiratory muscle strengthening exercises, is needed for patients experiencing difficulty in WA, BA, trunk asymmetry, abnormal alignment, mobility of trunk muscles, power, or endurance decline.

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