The effect of unloading on overground ambulation in stroke clients /

This study aimed to determine whether the use of body weight (BWS) during overground ambulation leads to immediate improvements in the gait pattern. of stroke clients, and whether an overground support system is feasible for use as a gait training tool in this population. Fourteen subjects 3 to 18 weeks post stroke and with ambulatory capacity but mobility problem (timed-up-and-go score > 25 s) participated in the study. Subjects were instructed to walk over a distance of 7 m with 0% (full weight bearing), 15% or 30% BWS provided by an overhead suspension system. Ground reaction forces, body kinematics and temporal distance factors were recorded. Subjects demonstrated significant improvements in force generation during both the loading and push off phase of gait (p < 0.001) with increasing support. There were also significant improvements in trunk postural control as well as a decrease in cycle duration and total double support time. The results indicate that providing partial BWS during overground walking allows for the expression of an improved walking pattern in stroke clients. The system was well tolerated by all subjects during testing and indicates therefore that this system is feasible for use in retraining walking in stoke clients