Background: Visual and somatosensory integration processing is needed to reduce pusher behavior (PB) and improve postural control in hemiplegic patients with acute stroke. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of game-based postural vertical training (GPVT) on PB, postural control, and activity daily living (ADL) in acute stroke patients. Methods: Fourteen participants with acute stroke (<2 months post-stroke) who had PB according to the Burke lateropulsion scale (BLS) (score>2) were randomly divided into the GPVT group (n1=7) and conventional postural vertical training (CPVT) group (n2=7). The GPVT group performed game-based postural vertical training using a whole-body tilt apparatus. while the CPVT group performed conventional postural vertical training to reduce PB (30 minutes/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week for 3 consecutive weeks). The BLS was evaluated to assess the severity of PB. And each subject’s postural control ability and ADL level were assessed using the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), balance posture ratio (BPR), and Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Outcomes were measured preand post-intervention. Results: Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention assessment results showed that both interventions led to the following significant changes: decreased severity of PB scores and increased PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores (p<.05). In particular, statistical analysis between the two groups, the BLS score was significantly decreased in the GPVT group (p<.05). And PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores were significantly improved in the GPVT group than in the CPVT group (p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GPVT lessened PB severity and improved postural control ability and ADL levels in acute stroke patients.

Background: Patient-centered care has recently become highly recommended, because it can improve health outcomes more effectively than problem-oriented care. The goal attainment scale (GAS) is one of the methods used for patient-centered care. It was originally developed as an outcome measurement tool, but it can also be used as a therapeutic intervention when setting quantifiable patient-centered goals. Objects: We sought to identify the effect of setting patient-centered goals on rehabilitation outcomes in patients with subacute stoke using GAS. Methods: Overall, 46 subjects with subacute stroke were divided into experimental (n1=23) and control (n2=23) groups. Subjects in both groups attended physical therapy sessions five times a week for four weeks. Those in the experimental group set goals using goal-attainment scaling. The mobility of each subject was evaluated using the Rivermead mobility index (RMI); daily-living activities, using the K-modified Barthel index (K-MBI); participation, using the Hopkins rehabilitation-engagement rating scale (HRERS); satisfaction, using the patient-satisfaction scale (PSS). Results: Subjects in the experimental group experienced more significant increases in RMI, HRERS, and PSS than those in the control group (p<.05, p<.05 and p<.01, respectively). After four weeks, GAS scores of the experimental group had increased more significantly than those of baseline (p<.01). Conclusion: Setting patient-centered goals is effective in improving the mobility and satisfaction of patients with subacute stoke. Setting patient-centered goals needs to be performed more frequently in clinical settings.

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects’ impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity (R2=.41), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry (R2=.35). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry (R2=.17). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ankle joint mobilization with movement (MWM) on the range of motion (ROM) in the ankle, on the muscle strength of lower extremities, and on spatiotemporal gait parameters in chronic hemiplegic patients. Fifteen subjects with chronic stroke were divided into two groups: an experimental group (8 subjects) and a control group (7 subjects). Both groups attended two or three sessions of physical therapy each week. The experimental group also attended additional MWM training sessions three times a week for five weeks. For both groups, the ROM of the ankle, the muscle strength of the lower extremities, and the spatiotemporal gait parameters in paretic limbs were evaluated before and after the training period. The results showed that the experimental group experienced more significant increases than did the control group in terms of passive (6.10%) and active (21.96%) ROM of the ankle, gait velocity (12.96%), and peak torque, of the knee flexor (81.39%), the knee extensor (24.88%), and the ankle plantar flexor (41.75%)(p<.05). These results suggest that MWM training in patients with chronic stroke may be beneficial in increasing ROM in the ankle, muscle strength in the lower extremities, and gait speed.