The Effects of Auditory Feedback Gait Training Using Smart Insole on Stroke Patients

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of the auditory feedback gait training (AFGT) using smart insole on the gait variables, dynamic balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients. In this case, 45 chronic stroke patients who were diagnosed with a stroke before 6 months and could walk more than 10 m were included in this study. Participants were randomly allocated to the smart insole training group (n = 23), in which the AFGT system was used, or to the general gait training group (GGTG) (n = 22). Both groups completed conventional rehabilitation, including conventional physiotherapy and gait training, lasting 60 min per session, five times per week for 4 weeks. Instead of gait training, the smart insole training group received smart insole training twice per week for 4 weeks. Participants were assessed using the GAITRite for gait variables and Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for dynamic balance, and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for ADL. The spatiotemporal gait parameters, symmetry of gait, TUG, BBS, and MBI in the smart insole training group were significantly improved compared to those in the GGTG (p < 0.05). The AFGT system approach is a helpful method for improving gait variables, dynamic balance, and ADL in chronic stroke patients.

Gait Variability and its Relationship to Functional Mobility in Hemiparetic Stroke

“…Such enhancements not only reflect gains in range of motion and coordination but also signify safer ambulation capabilities among participants. These findings align with the research conducted by Junghyun Kim et al (2021), which demonstrated the positive impact of auditory feedback gait training (AFGT) with smart insoles on various gait parameters and balance in chronic stroke patients. The parallel drawn between the two studies reinforces the potential of auditory stimulation in augmenting gait rehabilitation outcomes (22).…”

“…These findings align with the research conducted by Junghyun Kim et al (2021), which demonstrated the positive impact of auditory feedback gait training (AFGT) with smart insoles on various gait parameters and balance in chronic stroke patients. The parallel drawn between the two studies reinforces the potential of auditory stimulation in augmenting gait rehabilitation outcomes (22). Further corroborating the efficacy of sensory stimulation in stroke rehabilitation, a randomized control trial by Seung-Jun Hyun and Byoung-Hee Lee (2021) elucidated the benefits of incorporating visual feedback in sit-to-stand training.…”

Comparative efficacy of gait training for balance outcomes in patients with stroke: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

“…This fact suggests that gait performance does not necessarily reflect poststroke patients' capacity to maintain proactive balance. However, the other studies reported significant improvement in the proactive balance of stroke patients after enhanced gait training (combining gait training with other task-oriented balance training) (66,97). Therefore, the question of whether or not gait training has a positive effect on proactive balance is still open.…”

Association of nursing hours with cognitive function, balance, and dependency level of stroke patients

“…The total score was out of 56, with 41–56 indicating “good balance”, 21–40 representing “acceptable balance impairment” and a score below 20 representing “balance impairment” (Berg et al, 1995 ). The K‐BBS has excellent intra‐rater reliability of 0.98 and inter‐rater reliability of 0.97 (Kim et al, 2021 ).…”