Excellent Outcomes for Adults Who Experienced Early Standardized Treadmill Training During Acute Phase of Recovery from Stroke: A Case Series

• DOI: 10.1310/tsr1804-428
• Publication Date: 2011-09-14T01:02:26Z
• Authors: Karen J. McCain; Patricia S. Smith; Fabian E. Polo; Scott C. Coleman; Shawn Baker
• Keywords: Gait training; Stroke; Treadmill; Acute stroke

To describe gait outcomes, including assistive device use and incidence of falls, in a group adults post stroke who received early standardized treadmill training (ESTT) the acute phase rehabilitation.A case series 18 individuals with varied lesion size, location, comorbidities.Inpatient rehabilitation unit.Daily 30-minute sessions ESTT initiated before overground period.Three-dimensional analysis, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), inventory, fall history.Gait analysis revealed better temporal spatial symmetry than have been previously documented. Twelve participants walked at speeds greater 0.80 m/s 10 without an or orthoses. Mean 6MWT distance was 322.42 m (±114.33). Thirteen (72%) reported no falls over 6-month period.These outcomes far surpass current data literature for this patient population were achieved by application intervention that feasible setting.