OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of digital treadmill on lower limb motor function in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: This was a clinical comparative study. A total of 60 patients with ischemic stroke at Hebei University Hospital were selected from October 2020 to September 2022 and randomly divided observation group and control group. The control group was given conventional rehabilitation therapy, with the observation group receiving digital treadmill training. Both groups were assessed using the Holden Functional Ambulation Category Scale (FAC), digital treadmill gait analysis system, and dynamic balance instrument and after four weeks, followed by a statistical analysis. RESULTS: After four weeks of treatment, both groups showed an improved in FAC grading, gait spatiotemporal parameters (including step speed, step length, stance time and step height), gait kinematic parameters (including hip joint flexion and extension mobility, knee joint flexion and extension mobility, and active ankle dorsiflexion ability) and balance assessment parameters (including motion trajectory area and motion trajectory perimeter) compared to pre-treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, the gait symmetry parameters, including step length deviation and step height deviation, in the observation group were significantly lower than pre-treatment (p < 0.05), while in the control group, without statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the inter-group comparisons showed significant improvements of all the parameters studied above in the observation group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Digital treadmill training may effectively improve gait parameters, gait symmetry, walking and balance ability of patients with ischemic stroke.

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