Use of real-time visual feedback during overground walking training on gait symmetry and velocity in patients with...

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of using real-time visual feedback during overground walking training to improve walking function in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Twenty-four patients with post-stroke hemiparesis who were able to walk independently under less impact of synergy pattern on the affected lower limbs (Brunnstrom stage IV or V) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. All subjects performed overground walking for 30 min, three times a week for 6 weeks, with real-time visual feedback (weight load to the affected lower limb) provided during training for subjects in the experimental group. Outcome measures comprised the timed up-and-go test and gait parameters (step length, stride length, single and double support times, step and stride length ratios, and single support time ratio). In between-group comparison, the changes between pre-test and post-test scores in all parameters were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05), except for double support time and step length ratio. Furthermore, post-test values of all parameters were significantly more improved in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that real-time visual feedback may be an advantageous therapeutic adjunct to reinforce the effects of overground walking training in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis.