Core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern can significantly improve the balance of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.

Robot-assisted gait training improves the walking ability of hemiplegic patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of robot-assisted gait training on the walking ability of hemiplegic patients.Methods Sixty hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,each of 30.Both groups were given traditional rehabilitation and drug therapy.The control group was additionally provided with the traditional gait training,while the treatment group additionally received robot-assisted gait training.The gait training lasted 30 minutes a day,5 days per week.Before and after 8 weeks of training,the time parameters,phase parameters,the joint angles of the lower limbs,and the peak ground reaction forces of both groups were evaluated using a three-dimensional gait analysis system.Results After the intervention,the walking velocity,stride frequency and stride length had increased in the treatment group,while stride width had decreased.Significant improvement was observed in the treatment group in terms of the percentage of swing phase on the paretic side,the percentage of stance phase on the paretic side,the single support time ratio,the percentage of double support phase,the range of motion of the hip and knee joints,and the peak vertical and forward ground reaction force as a percentage of body weight.The improvements were significantly greater than those observed in the control group.Conclusions Compared with traditional walking training,robot-assisted gait training can be more effective in improving the walking ability of hemiplegic patients.