Article

The purpose of the study was to compare the spatio-temporal and joint
kinematic gait parameters of stroke patients walking on a treadmill and
overground, to examine the assumption that patients walking on a treadmill will
approximate the requirements of walking overground.
Methods. Ten independently
ambulant chronic stroke patients were included in the study. Vicon was used to
collect spatio-temporal and joint kinematic data during overground walking at
comfortable speed and at matched speed on the treadmill. Results. Walking on the
treadmill demonstrated statistically significantly lower cadence, and longer step
times of the non-hemiplegic and hemiplegic limbs. Absolute stance times of both
limbs, absolute double support time, relative stance time and relative double
support time were significantly longer during treadmill walking. Compared to
overground walking, the inter-limb symmetries of step time, stance time, and
stance/swing time ratio were significantly greater on the treadmill. During
treadmill walking, joint kinematic data showed statistically significant changes
with greater flexion of the nonhemiplegic knee and hip at initial contact, and
less hip extension of the hemiplegic limb. Maximal ankle plantarflexion and knee
extension of the hemiplegic limb occurred later in the gait cycle on the
treadmill. Conclusion. These differences suggest it may be useful to use
treadmill in conjunction with overground walking to focus on improving specific
walking deficits in patients with stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS