| Objective: To investigate the effect of aquatic treadmill training and treadmill training on posture control and gait symmetry in stroke patients. Methods: All 40 patients with stroke hemiplegia at stage Brunnstrom Ⅳ were selected and randomized into treatment group (n=20) and control group (n=20). All the patients received comprehensive rehabilitation training. The treatment group was given aquatic treadmill training, and the control group received treadmill training additionally, 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Three-dimensional gait analysis (stance time asymmetry ratio, swing time asymmetry ratio, step length asymmetry ratio) was performed, and postural control scale (PASS) and the thickness of external abdominal oblique muscle, internal abdominal oblique muscle and transverse abdominal muscle were measured before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the score of PASS, stance time asymmetry ratio, step length asymmetry ratio, and thickness of external abdominal oblique muscle, internal abdominal oblique muscle and transverse abdominal muscle were significantly increased (P<0.05) in the treatment group, and the score of PASS and step length asymmetry ratio were improved (P<0.05) in the control group. The score of PASS, step length asymmetry ratio, and thickness of external abdominal oblique muscle and internal abdominal oblique muscle were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aquatic treadmill training can improve posture control and gait symmetry in patients with stroke. |
