Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate spatial and temporal gait characteristics and endurance
late after stroke in people who had received two different walking exercises. A
secondary aim was to compare the outcomes in relation to length of time
exercising and number of exercise occasions between the two. DESIGN: A randomized
controlled trial. SETTING: A private rehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS: Thirty-nine
people with stroke entered the study, and five dropped out. INTERVENTIONS:
Treadmill training versus walking outdoors. MAIN MEASURES: Six-Minute Walk Test,
a 10-metre walk test and pulse rates at rest and in activity. RESULTS: There were
significant differences in favour of the treadmill group in Six-Minute Walk Test
distance (P = 0.04), Six-Minute Walk Test speed (P = 0.03), 10-m walking speed (P
= 0.03), bilateral stride length (right leg; P = 0.009, left leg; P = 0.003) and
step width (P = 0.01), indicating more symmetrical use of the legs in the
treadmill group (1.02-1.10 m versus 0.97-0.92 m). There were no significant
differences between groups in cadence (P = 0.78). All participants complied 100%
with their respective programmes. Exercise frequency did not differ between the
groups but significantly less time was spent exercising on the treadmill compared
with walking exercise outdoors (107 versus 316 minutes, P = 0.002). There were no
differences in use of assistive aids between the groups on arrival at the clinic
or at departure. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that treadmill walking improves
spatial and temporal gait characteristics more effectively than walking outdoors.

Langue : ANGLAIS