Effects of Performance-based Treadmill Walking Training with Visual Deprivation on Balance and Walking Functions in Patients with Chronic Stroke : A Single-subject Experimental Design

This study aimed to examine the effects of performance-based treadmill walking training with visual deprivation on balance and walking functions in patients with chronic stroke. We performed this study with a single-subject experimental research design (A-B-C). One patient with chronic stroke participated in this study. Experimental sessions consisted of three phases (a total of 20 sessions): (1) baseline phase, (2) 1st intervention phase, and (3) 2nd intervention phase. During the two intervention phases, performance-based treadmill walking training was performed, and visual deprivation was added in the 2nd intervention phase only. Intervention was performed for an average of 60 min, twice per day for two weeks. Outcome measures included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go test (TUGT), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). The BBS and DGI scores improved by 11 and 6 points, respectively. Furthermore, TUGT (36.91 sec) and 10MWT (18.74 sec) improved in the 1st intervention phase, and more improvement (TUGT: 56.45 sec, and 10MWT: 45.18 sec) was observed during the 2nd intervention phase. These results indicates that the performance-based treadmill walking training might improve balance and walking functions, with more favorable outcomes when visual deprivation was added. Further studies are required to support these results.