REHABILITATION OF STROKE PATIENTS: EFFECTS OF AN EXERCISE PROGRAM ON SPATIOTEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS

Abstract

Background: According to the updated recommendations published in 2014 by the Council of American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), stroke survivors should follow aerobic workout and strength training 3-5 times a week. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an exercise program, based on the recommendations by the Council of AHA/ASA, on spatiotemporal gait parameters of chronic stroke survivors, 12-18 months after the incident. Method: Six stroke patients with mild hemiparesis, followed an exercise program lasting about 60 minutes three times a week, for two months, consisted by aerobic, strength, flexibility and neuromuscular exercises. Six other patients, with similar clinical characteristics, constituted the control group, continued their usual daily activities. Gait velocity and cadence, step and stride length and time, single and double support time were the spatiotemporal gait parameters that assessed, before and after the intervention, using a three-dimensional gait analysis system, consisted by six infrared cameras. Statistical analysis was made with paired T-test. Results: Double support, step and stride times of paretic leg were significantly decreased in the second measurement in the intervention group, while gait cadence of paretic leg was significantly increased in the same group. Conclusions: Results are indicative of the positive effect that exercise had on strength, balance, flexibility or on combination of the above.