BackgroundBody weight support (BWS) systems on treadmill have been proposed as a strategy for gait training of subjects with stroke. Considering that ground level is the most common locomotion surface and that there is little information about individuals with stroke walking with BWS on ground level, it is important to investigate the use of BWS on ground level in these individuals as a possible alternative strategy for gait training.MethodsThirteen individuals with chronic stroke (four women and nine men; mean age 54.46 years) were videotaped walking on ground level in three experimental conditions: with no harness, with harness bearing full body weight, and with harness bearing 30% of full body weight. Measurements were recorded for mean walking speed, cadence, stride length, stride speed, durations of initial and terminal double stance, single limb support, swing period, and range of motion of ankle, knee, and hip joints; and foot, shank, thigh, and trunk segments.ResultsThe use of BWS system leads to changes in stride length and speed, but not in stance and swing period duration. Only the hip joint was influenced by the BWS system in the 30% BWS condition. Shank and thigh segments presented less range of motion in the 30% BWS condition than in the other conditions, and the trunk was held straighter in the 30% BWS condition than in the other conditions.ConclusionIndividuals with stroke using BWS system on ground level walked slower and with shorter stride length than with no harness. BWS also led to reduction of hip, shank, and thigh range of motion. However, this system did not change walking temporal organization and body side asymmetry of individuals with stroke. On the other hand, the BWS system enabled individuals with chronic stroke to walk safely and without physical assistance. In interventions, the physical therapist can watch and correct gait pattern in patients' performance without the need to provide physical assistance.

Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Objectives To determine if thoracic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) alters thoracic kinematics, thoracic excursion, and scapular kinematics compared to a sham SMT in individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome, and also to compare changes in patient-reported outcomes between treatment groups. Background Prior studies indicate that thoracic SMT can improve pain and disability in individuals with subacromial impingment syndrome. However, the mechanisms underlying these benefits are not well understood. Methods Participants with shoulder impingement symptoms (n = 52) were randomly assigned to receive a single session of thoracic SMT or sham SMT. Thoracic and scapular kinematics during active arm elevation and overall thoracic excursion were measured before and after the intervention. Patient-reported outcomes measured were pain (numeric pain-rating scale), function (Penn Shoulder Score), and global rating of change. Results Following the intervention, there were no significant differences in changes between groups for thoracic kinematics or excursion, scapular kinematics, and patient-reported outcomes (P>.05). Both groups showed an increase in scapular internal rotation during arm raising (mean, 0.9°; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3°, 1.6°; P = .003) and lowering (0.8°; 95% CI: 0.0°, 1.5°; P = .041), as well as improved pain reported on the numeric pain-rating scale (1.2 points; 95% CI: 0.3, 1.8; P<.001) and function on the Penn Shoulder Score (9.1 points; 95% CI: 6.5, 11.7; P<.001). Conclusion Thoracic spine extension and excursion did not change significantly following thoracic SMT. There were small but likely not clinically meaningful changes in scapular internal rotation in both groups. Patient-reported pain and function improved in both groups; however, there were no significant differences in the changes between the SMT and the sham SMT groups. Overall, patient-reported outcomes improved in both groups without meaningful changes to thoracic or scapular motion. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b-. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(7):527–538. Epub 21 May 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5647

BackgroundIt is not yet established if the use of body weight support (BWS) systems for gait training is effective per se or if it is the combination of BWS and treadmill that improves the locomotion of individuals with gait impairment. This study investigated the effects of gait training on ground level with partial BWS in individuals with stroke during overground walking with no BWS.MethodsTwelve individuals with chronic stroke (53.17 ± 7.52 years old) participated of a gait training program with BWS during overground walking, and were evaluated before and after the gait training period. In both evaluations, individuals were videotaped walking at a self-selected comfortable speed with no BWS. Measurements were obtained for mean walking speed, step length, stride length and speed, toe-clearance, durations of total double stance and single-limb support, and minimum and maximum foot, shank, thigh, and trunk segmental angles.ResultsAfter gait training, individuals walked faster, with symmetrical steps, longer and faster strides, and increased toe-clearance. Also, they displayed increased rotation of foot, shank, thigh, and trunk segmental angles on both sides of the body. However, the duration of single-limb support remained asymmetrical between each side of the body after gait training.ConclusionsGait training individuals with chronic stroke with BWS during overground walking improved walking in terms of temporal-spatial parameters and segmental angles. This training strategy might be adopted as a safe, specific and promising strategy for gait rehabilitation after stroke.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of adding load to restrain the nonparetic lower limb during gait training on weight-bearing and temporal asymmetry after stroke. Design Thirty-eight subjects were randomized into treadmill training with load (5% of body weight) on the nonparetic limb (experimental group) and treadmill training without load (control group). Interventions lasted 30 mins/d for 2 wks (9 sessions). Both groups performed home-based exercises and were instructed to increase the use of paretic limb in daily life situations. Ground reaction force was obtained by a force plate during standing position (static) and gait (dynamic). Temporal gait parameters were assessed by a motion system analysis. Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, posttraining, and after a 40-day follow-up. Results The experimental group increased static ground reaction force of the paretic limb at posttraining (P = 0.037) and the control group increased dynamic ground reaction force of the paretic limb at posttraining (P = 0.021), both with maintenance at follow-up. Neither group showed a change in the swing time symmetry ratio after training (P = 0.190). Conclusions Treadmill training associated with behavioral strategies/home-based exercises seemed to be useful to minimize weight-bearing asymmetry, but not to improve temporal gait asymmetry. Load addition did not show additional benefits.

The evidence to guide use of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for patients with shoulder pain is limited. A validated sham comparator is needed to ascertain the unique effects of SMT. We investigated the plausibility of a thoracic sham-SMT comparator for SMT in patients with shoulder pain. Participants (n = 56) with subacromial impingement syndrome were randomized to thoracic SMT or a sham-SMT. An examiner blinded to group assignment took measures pre- and post-treatment of shoulder active range of motion (AROM) and perceived effects of the assigned intervention. Treatment consisted of six upper, middle and lower thoracic SMT or sham-SMT. The sham-SMT was identical to the SMT, except no thrust was applied. Believability as an active treatment was measured post-treatment. Believability as an active treatment was not different between groups (χ2 = 2.19; p = 0.15). Perceptions of effects were not different between groups at pre-treatment (t = 0.12; p = 0.90) or post-treatment (t = 0.40; p = 0.69), and demonstrated equivalency with 95% confidence between groups at pre- and post-treatment. There was no significant change in shoulder flexion in either group over time, or in the sham-SMT for internal rotation (p > 0.05). The SMT group had an increase of 6.49° in internal rotation over time (p = 0.04). The thoracic sham-SMT of this study is a plausible comparator for SMT in patients with shoulder pain. The sham-SMT was believable as an active treatment, perceived as having equal beneficial effects both when verbally described and after familiarization with the treatment, and has an inert effect on shoulder AROM. This comparator can be considered for used in clinical trials investigating thoracic SMT. IRB number HM 13182.