ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of aquatic treadmill training on abdominal muscle thickness and balance function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke. MethodsFrom March to October, 2021, 60 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n = 20), suspension group (n = 20) and aquatic treadmill group (n = 20). On the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation training, the control group received treadmill training, the suspension group received skyrail suspension walking training, and the aquatic treadmill group received treadmill training in water, for four weeks. The curative effect was evaluated by musculoskeletal ultrasound with muscle thickness of bilateral external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles. And they were assessed with Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patient (PASS) and Timed 'Up & Go' Test (TUGT) before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the thickness of external oblique and internal oblique muscles on the unaffected side, the PASS score and the TUGT time improved in all the three groups (|t| > 2.135, P < 0.05); while the thickness of external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles in the aquatic treadmill training group increased (|t| > 5.567, P < 0.001). The PASS score, the TUGT time, and the thickness of external oblique and internal oblique muscles on the affected side improved more in the aquatic treadmill training group than in the control group and the suspension group (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe aquatic treadmill training is more effective in strenghthening abdominal muscle to improve balance function.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of aquatic treadmill training on walking function in stroke patients.Methods From July, 2015 to October, 2017, 33 patients with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into control group (n = 16) and treatment group (n = 17).The control group accepted routine water exercise, while the treatment group accepted aquatic treadmill training in addition, for six weeks. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 2 Minute Walk Test (2MWT) and gait analysis before and after six weeks of treatment.Results All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (t＞ 2.536, P ＜ 0.05), and the performance of BBS, TUG, 2 MWT, and gait analysis indexes of length, speed and width of steps improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (t＞ 2.057, P ＜ 0.05). The incidence of improvement was more in in the treatment group than in the control group (χ2= 33, P ＜ 0.001) Conclusion Aquatic treadmill training can improve the walking function for stroke patients.