| Objective: To study the effects of water-based walking on muscle thickness and pinnate angle of lower limbs, balance function and walking ability in stroke patients. Methods: From July 2021 to March 2022, 30 patients with stroke in Beijing Bo’ai Hospital were recruited and randomly divided into experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15). All of the patients received routine exercise training. In addition, the experimental group received extra water-based walking training, and the control group received extra land-based walking training. Before and after treatment, the thickness and pinnate angle of lower extremity muscles were assessed by Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Berg balance scale (BBS) and Holden walking function classification were used to assess motor function. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, except the pinnate angle of medial gastrocnemius, thickness and pinnate angle of other lower extremity muscles in experimental group were significantly increased (all P<0.05). In the control group, except the lateral gastrocnemius, the thickness and pinnate angle of other lower extremity muscles were significantly increased (all P<0.05). The thickness and pinnate angle of rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius in experimental group were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the BBS score in two groups was significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (both P<0.05), and the Holden walking function of experimental group was significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in BBS score and Holden walking function between two groups. Conclusion: The water-based walking training can increase the thickness and pinnate angle of the affected lower extremity muscles, and has a positive impact on balance function and walking independence. |
