[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine if an inclined treadmill with
rhythmic auditory stimulation gait training can improve balance and gait ability in stroke
patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty participants were randomly divided into three
groups: inclined treadmill with rhythmic auditory stimulation training group (n=10),
inclined treadmill training group (n=10), and treadmill training group (n=10). For all
groups, the training was conducted for 4 weeks, 30 minutes per session, 5 times per week.
Two subjects dropped out before study completion. [Results] All variables of balance and
gait, except for the timed up and go test in the treadmill group, significantly improved
in all groups. Moreover, all variables showed a more significant improvement in the
inclined treadmill with rhythmic auditory stimulation group when compared with the other
groups. Timed up and go test, Berg balance scale, 6 m walking test, walking speed, and
symmetric index were significantly improved in the inclined treadmill group when compared
with the treadmill group. [Conclusion] Thus, for stroke patients receiving gait training,
inclined treadmill with rhythmic auditory stimulation training was more effective in
maintaining balance and gait than inclined treadmill without rhythmic auditory stimulation
or only treadmill training.