Changes of pelvis control with subacute stroke: A comparison of body-weight- support treadmill training coupled virtual reality system and over-ground training

Abstract

Abstract. BACKGROUND:Gait recovery is very important to stroke survivors to regain their independence in activity of daily life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) coupled body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) on pelvic control at the early stage of stroke. METHODS: Kinematic and kinetic changes of pelvic motion were evaluated by a 3D gait analysis system and were compared to the results from over-ground walking training. Twenty-four patients having unilateral hemiplegia with subacute stroke were recruited to a VR coupled BWSTT group (n = 12) and a conventional therapy (CT) group (n = 12). Both of the groups received training of 20-40 min/day, 5 days/week, for 3 weeks. RESULTS:The results showed the tilt of pelvis in sagittal plane improved significantly (P = 0.038) after treatment in the BWSTT+VR group, in terms of decreased amplitude of anterior peak (mean, from 10.99• to 6.25 • ), while there were no significant differences in the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that VR coupled BWSTT gait training could decrease anterior tilt of pelvis in early hemiparetic persons following a modest intervention dose, and the training may have advantages over conventional over-ground gait training and can assist the therapists in correcting abnormal gait pattern of stroke survivors.

Gait Patterns in Patients with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis

“…Furthermore, in these patients, we observed increased values of RoM for pelvis tilt and hip extensor angular impulse during the first double support subphase (Figs 2C and 3A and 3B ). The former result might be due to spasticity and contracture of hip muscles as reported in neurological disorders with lower limb spasticity [ 20 ], [ 39 – 41 ]. The last result indicates that HSP patients, although they have reduced hip RoMs, need to greatly involve the hip joint for weight acceptance increasing the internal torques.…”

The Immediate Effects of Posterior Pelvic Tilt with Taping on Pelvic Inclination, Gait Function and Balance in Chronic Stroke Patients*

“…with an aim to correct and control these problems, including selective pelvic exercises (Cabanas-Valdés et al, 2016), body weight-supported treadmill training (Mao et al, 2015), and gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (Shin et al, 2015). However, most of the treatment protocols are labor-intensive and require site space, which makes the provision of intensive treatment for all patients difficult.…”