Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of task-oriented intervention with treadmill training to improve gait in chronic ambulatory hemiparetic stroke patients.

Design of study: A comparative study randomized controlled trial design consisted of two groups and two measurements, pre and post intervention.

Participants: 30 subjects (male & female), age groups of (40–70 years) with hemiplegia secondary to CVA were taken. All the subjects were received physiotherapy previously and none were allowed to attend physiotherapy other than intervention protocol.

Main outcome Measures: Balance was assessed by Berg Balance Scale, gait was assessed by Rivermead Mobility Index.

Results: The between groups comparison shows that there is significant effect of task oriented intervention on BBS which was 28.33 ± 11.91 at 0 week, 38.53 ±10.66 at 4th week. And for treadmill training group on BBS which was 31.66±7.35 at 0 week, 41.0±7.11 at 4th week.

The between group comparison shows that there is significant effect of task oriented intervention on RMI which was 7.2 ± 1.66 at 0 week, 10.93 ± 2.22 at 4th week, and for treadmill training group on RMI which was 8.26 ± 1.44 at o week, 11.6 ± 1.55 at 4th Week.

The analysis revealed that both types of training influence balance and walking ability of hemiparetic stroke patients during the study period. This analysis showed that both groups improved with training over time i.e. from pre to post.

Conclusion: The result of present clinical study support the view that task oriented intervention and treadmill training both helps to improve balance and walking ability for chronic ambulatory hemiparetic stroke patients. Result of this study provides the ground for future research with specific gender, large sample size, longer duration and with the use of other tools like force platform.