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Effects of thera-band elastic resistance-assisted gait training in stroke patients: a pilot study [with consumer summary]
Patil P, Rao S
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2011 Sep;47(3):427-433
clinical trial
2/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: No. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

BACKGROUND: In stroke patients, it is difficult to manually assist dorsi-flexion during the normal gait cycle as it is a distal component. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to simultaneously guard the patient and manually assist dorsi-flexion during the swing phase of gait. However, one of the key benefits of thera-band elastic resistance-assisted gait training is that it offers distal control of lower extremity during the normal gait sequence without jeopardizing patient safety. AIM: Aim of this study was to compare and measure the effects of thera-band elastic resistance-assisted gait training in stroke patients with respect to quality of gait and functional mobility. DESIGN: This was a pilot study. SETTING: The study was carried out at the occupational therapy department, Mumbai, India. POPULATION: The study included 16 patients aged between 30 to 60 years with first episode of stroke or subacute stroke. METHODS: Following informed consent, as per inclusion criteria patients were randomly assigned in two groups: (1) control group: conventional occupational therapy intervention and conventional gait training; (2) experimental group: conventional occupational therapy and thera-band elastic resistance assisted gait training. Patients were assessed on: (1) Wisconsin Gait Scale; (2) Rivermead Mobility Index. Patients were reassessed as done initially at the end of third and sixth week. Patients received therapy three times a week for six weeks. RESULTS: Each group separately was associated with statistically significant improvement in quality of gait (p < 0.001) as well as functional mobility (p < 0.001). Thera-band elastic resistance-assisted gait training had a more positive effect on improving the quality of gait, functional mobility in a short duration as compared to the conventional gait training. CONCLUSION: The use of thera-band elastic resistance-assisted gait training contributed to faster recovery as compared to the control group. Functionally patients showed improvement as compared to conventional therapy.

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