Article

Biofeedback has been used in rehabilitation settings for gait
retraining. The purpose of this review was to summarize and synthesize
the findings of studies involving real-time kinematic, temporospatial, and
kinetic biofeedback. The goal was to provide a general overview of the
effectiveness of these forms of biofeedback in treating gait abnormalities.
DATA SOURCES: Articles were identified through searches of the following databases:
MEDLINE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and
Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials. All searches were limited to the
English language and encompassed the period from 1965 to November 2007. STUDY
SELECTION: Titles and abstracts were screened to identify studies that met the
following requirements: the study included the use of kinematic, temporospatial,
or kinetic biofeedback during gait training, and the population of interest
showed abnormal movement patterns as a result of a pathology or injury. DATA
EXTRACTION: All articles that met the inclusion criteria were assessed by use of
the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Seven
articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Effect sizes
were calculated for the primary outcome variables for all studies that provided
enough data. Effect sizes generally suggested moderate to large treatment effects
for all methods of biofeedback during practice. LIMITATIONS: Several of the
studies lacked adequate randomization; therefore, readers should exercise caution
when interpreting authors' conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Each biofeedback method
appeared to result in moderate to large treatment effects immediately after
treatment. However, it is unknown whether the effects were maintained. Future
studies should ensure adequate randomization of participants and implementation
of motor learning concepts and should include retention testing to assess the
long-term success of biofeedback and outcome measures capable of demonstrating
coordinative changes in gait and improvement in function.

Langue : ANGLAIS