Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
The effect of a slider shoe on hemiplegic gait
Objective:
To assess the effect of a slider shoe on the gait speed and energy efficiency of hemiplegic gait.
Design:
A-B-A single-case design to compare walking with and without the slider shoe. Results were assessed graphically using the 2SD method.
Setting:
Stroke unit of an NHS general hospital in the UK.
Subjects:
Four acute stroke patients undergoing gait rehabilitation.
Intervention:
Walking practice with and without a slider shoe worn over the real shoe of the weak leg.
Main Outcome Measures:
Gait speed (10-m walk test) and energy efficiency (Physiological Cost Index).
Results:
All subjects showed an improvement in speed and efficiency when wearing the slider shoe compared with the baseline phase (A1). Three subjects showed a sustained improvement in efficiency and two showed a sustained improvement in speed in the second baseline phase (A2).
Conclusion:
A slider shoe may improve the speed and efficiency of hemiplegic gait for people in the early stages of gait rehabilitation. Further investigation is warranted.
