INTRODUCTION: The destiny of many people after stroke is a limited ability to walk. For many years a discussion exists about using the treadmill in improving and recovering gait ability within physiotherapy. In Germany physiotherapy is in the process of professionalization. Herewith it bears responsibility for research. Is there effectiveness of a treadmill therapy? What is the outcome of current studies? METHOD: A systematic review was conducted at the databases of PubMed and PEDro. The validity of the studies was assessed by the PEDro score. The included randomised controlled studies were published in the years 2001 to 2007. RESULTS: The validity of the studies varied from 4 to 8 points. There is no clear recommendation possible neither for nor against the treadmill therapy. CONCLUSIONS: For improving gait velocity the treadmill seems to have little effectiveness. Gait velocity was the only parameter described by all studies. There is no international consensus in using the assessments to measure gait ability.

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