Immediate Effects of Training for Quick Lateral Movement of the Trunk on the Gait Function of Patients with Hemiplegia

Abstract

Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of quick lateral trunk movement training on gait function. [Participants and Methods] The participants were patients hospitalized after stroke, who could walk alone, with or without a cane. They underwent two types of training: one required the patients to move their trunk laterally as quickly as possible with their arms crossed in a seated position (arms crossed seated side tapping: AC-SST); the other was posture maintenance with the trunk tilted laterally to the maximum extent. Gait speed, stride and cadence were measured before and after each task.[Results] AC-SST improved the gait speed, stride, and cadence. On the other hand, the training to maintain posture did not result in any significant changes.[Conclusion] The quick lateral trunk movement training immediately improved the gait function of patients with hemiplegia.