[Treadmill therapy in patients after ischaemic stroke]

Treadmill training with body weight support was applied in 30 patients who had suffered an ischaemic stroke, with the goal of improving their independence in the activities of daily living (ADL). The following inclusion criteria were used: inability to walk (FAC-score 0 - 2); motor abilities (the ability to sit without support, a palpable muscle function of the hip extensors, abductors and the knee extensors in the affected leg); adequate cooperation, motivation and vigility; absence of muscle contractures which would affect gait; onset of therapy no later than one year after the incident. The average duration of treadmill training was 6,6 weeks. The patients' age was an average 68 years (48 - 82). 87 % of the patients were able to improve their gait within the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) scale. 60 % of the patients achieved the ability to walk independently without technical aid. Apart from improving their gait, the patients also attained significantly increased scores in the motor scale of the Rivermead Motor Assessment (gross function) and the motor part of the ADL scale of the Barthel Index (items 2 - 4) and the Functional Independence Measure (items 3 and 4). Treadmill training is establishing itself as an important therapeutic approach in gait rehabilitation with patients with acquired brain damage.