Effects of a Vestibular Stimulation Training Program on the Gait of Chronic Stroke Patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a vestibular stimulation training program on the walking ability of chronic stroke patients over a six month period. METHODS: Forty stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided randomly into a control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). A general exercise program was applied to Group I and vestibular stimulation training was applied to Group Ⅱ(30 min, three times a week for six weeks). The changes in straight walking ability, curved walking ability, and functional walking ability were measured using a 10 m walking test figure-ofeight-walking test, and dynamic gait index, respectively. The measures before and after the program were compared using a paired t-test for a comparison of each group and an independent t-test for a comparison between groups. RESULTS: The changes in each group were examined †Corresponding Author : Yong-pil Yang