본 연구의 목적은 알츠하이머질환(Alzheimer’s disease: AD) 동물 모델을 대상으로 트레드밀 운 동(Treadmill exercise: TE)과 환경강화(environmental enrichment: EE) 처치가 인지기능, 근 기능, 및 밀 착연접 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 확인하는데 있다. AD 동물 모델을 제작하기 위해 aluminum chloride(AlCl3)를 90일간(40mg/kg/하루) 투여 하였으며 동시에 TE(10-12m/min, 40-60min/day) 혹은 EE에 노출시켰다. 그 결과 AlCl3 투여에 의한 인지기능 저하와 근 기능 감소가 TE와 EE에 의해 완화된 것 으로 나타났다. 또한, TE와 EE는 AD 질환에서 나타나는 β-amyloid(Aβ), alpha-synuclein 및 tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) 단백질의 발현 증가를 감소시킨 것으로 나타났다. 게다가 TE와 EE는 AlCl3 투여에 의해 감소된 밀착연접 단백질(Occludin, Claudin-5 및 ZO-1)의 발현을 통계적으로 유의하게 증가시킨 것으로 나타났다. 마지막으로 Aβ 단백질과 밀착연접 단백질과의 상관분석을 실시한 결과 부적 상 관관계(Occludin: r=-0.853, p=0.001; Claudin-5 : r=-0.352, p=0.915; ZO-1 : r=-0.424, p=0.0390) 로 나타났다. 따라서 이를 종합해 보면 TE 혹은 EE 처치는 AD에 나타나는 병리학적 특징들을 일부 완화 시켜 인지기능과 근 기능을 일부 개선 시킬 수 있는 효과적인 운동 방법이라고 생각된다.

Background: A weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training is being used for rehabilitation in stroke patients. However, the effect on various gait parameters has not been confirmed. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of exercise intensity through speed increase and weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training to restore gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: This study recruited 24 stroke patients. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (wearing a weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training, n=12) and the control group (speed increase during treadmill gait training, n=12). Gait measurement device (G-walk) was used to measure the gait parameters of the subjects. Results: Both the experimental group and control group showed a significant increase in cadence, gait speed, stride length, and gait symmetry index post intervention (P<.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a significant increase in the gait symmetry index post the intervention than the control group (P<.05). Conclusion: Through this study, it was found that wearing a weight-bearing jacket was a more effective method for improving the gait symmetry index than increasing speed during treadmill gait training in stroke patients.

Background: Although several studies have reported functional improvements after forward walking training on a treadmill and after backward walking training on a treadmill, there is a lack of immediate effects data, investigating spatiotemporal parameter, neuromuscular recruitment. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects between forward and backward walking on treadmill training, present study measured muscle activities of the lower extremity, gait parameters, and dynamic balance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The twenty-four asymptomatic young male subjects were participated in this study. Subjects have performed 15-min of forward and backward walking on treadmill. Before and after treadmill walking, the gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite. The dynamic balance abilities were assessed with the Y-balance test. Muscular activities were collected from the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris during forward and backward walking. Results: Muscular activities of the biceps femoris and tibialis anterior were significantly different between forward and backward walking conditions, which were higher with the backward walking (P<.05). Compared to the pre-measurement, the normalized dynamic balance composite score of the post-measurement was significantly higher with the backward walking (P<.05). Regardless of the treadmill training method, there were no significant differences between pre and post measurement, both the stride length and step length (P>.05). Conclusion: The performing backward walking training has positive effects for dynamic balance.

서로 다른 감각 정보의 불일치가 가상현실 멀미를 유발하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 트레드밀 기반의 가상현실 보행을 통해 감각 정보 일치의 멀미 완화 효과를 검증하고 나아가서 가상현실에서의 광학 흐름(optic flow) 단서에 의한 시각적 속도감과 트레드밀 보행을 통한 보행 속도감의 불일치가 멀미 완화 효과에 미치는 영향을 검증 하였다. 실험1에서는 트레드밀 보행의 멀미 완화 효과를 검증하기 위해 HMD를 통해 앞으로 이동하는 가상현실 체험을 하면서 가만히 서 있을 때와 트레드밀 보행을 할 때의 멀미 수준을 비교하였다. 실험 결과 가상현실 속에서 이동을 하며 트레드밀 보행을 할 때 더 적은 멀미를 느끼고 실재감과 몰입감은 증가하였다. 실험2와 실험3에서는 가상현실 속에서 이동하는 속도에 대한 시각적 속도감과 트레드밀 보행의 속도감을 조작해 두 속도감이 일치할 때와 불일치할 때의 멀미 수준을 비교하였다. 흥미롭게도 참가자들은 시각적 속도감이 보행속도감보다 빠르게 느껴지는 불일치 조건에서 일치조건보다 더 낮은 멀미를 경험하였다. 이와 같은 실험결과는 가상현실 속에서 이동할 때 시각적 정보와 일관되게 트레드밀 보행을 하게 하는 것이 가상현실 멀미를 완화시키지만 속도감의 일치가 필수적인 것이 아님을 시사한다.

이 연구는 비만이 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위해 고지방 식이(20주)를 통해 비만을 유도한 후 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시하고, 자가포식의 유도, 형성 그리고 자가포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계를 조절하는 단백질의 발현을 확인하였다. 실험동물(SD rat)은 20주 간의 고지방식이(탄수화물: 20%, 지방: 60%, 단백질: 20%)를 통해 비만을 유도하였으며, 8주간의 트레드 밀 운동(주 5일, 하루 30분, 5분; 8m/min, 5분; 11m/min, 20분; 14m/min)을 실시하였다. 집단 구분은 정상식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 운동군(n=10)으로 구분하였다. 8주간의 트레드밀 운동 실시 전과 후에 경구당부하검사를 실시하여 곡선하 면적(area under the curve; AUC)을 산출 하였으며, 공복시 인슐린 농도와 포도당 농도를 통해 인슐린 저항성 지표인 HOMA-IR과 체중 당 복부지 방량(abdominal visceral fat/Body weight; AVF/BW)를 산출하여 비교하였다. 또한 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질을 분석하여 운동 트레이닝의 효과를 검증하였다. 장기간의 고지방식이를 통해 HFD-CON 그룹에서는 비만이 유도되었으며, ND-CON 그룹에 비해 체중, AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 하지만 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시한 HFD-TE 그룹에서는 AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 개선되는 것으로 나타났다. 체중의 경우, 감소되는 경향은 있었지만, 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 자가포식 유도에 관여하는 mTOR와 AMPK는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었지만, 운동을 통해 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 자가포식 형성에 관련된 Beclin-1, BNIP3, ATG-7, p62, LC3는 비만상황에서 모두 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 운동을 통해 감소되는 것으로 나타났다. 자기포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계 조절하는 Cathepsin L과 LAMP2는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었으며, 운동을 통해 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 트레드밀 운동과 같은 신체활동은 대사성 질환에서 나타나는 병리학적 현상을 개선하고 자가포식 과정을 정상적으로 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 트레드밀 운동이 심장 관련 질환의 예방 및 치료에 있어 일차적으로 고려해야할 필요성이 있다고 제안한다.

Background : There is lack of studies on the effects of the bag-carrying style on the shoulder muscles and body alignment in adults with rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various bag-carrying styles on muscle tone, muscle stiffness and spinal alignment in 20 adults with RSP as they were walking on a treadmill. Design : Crossover Study Design. Methods: A subject performed treadmill walking for 15 minutes at a speed of 4 ㎞/ｈ while carrying three different types of bags: a backpack, a cross bag, and a shoulder bag. Results : The results showed that the main effect of timing was observed in the muscle tone for all the variables and in muscle stiffness only for the upper and lower trapezius muscles. As for the main effect of timing, the muscle tone of the upper trapezius and the pectoralis major significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle tone of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. The muscle stiffness of the upper trapezius significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle stiffness of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. As for the spinal alignment, the dimple distance data values significantly decreased for the cross-bag style. Conclusions : This study demonstrated that walking with a heavy bag, regardless of the bag-carrying style, increased muscle stiffness around the shoulders in adults with rounded shoulder posture, and walking with a crossbag also induced changes in spinal alignment.

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of somatotype on the VO2max and hormone (adrenaline and noradrenaline) during treadmill walking. Forty healthy men participated and were randomized to four groups: Male 1 (M1) group, Male 2 (M2) group, Male 3 (M3) group, and Male 4 (M4) group. M4 group is the largest body type, and M1 group is the smaller the body type. Participants walked at a speed of 3.5 km/h for five minutes at an incline angle of 0°, 5°, and 10° in the treadmill. Maximum oxygen consumption and hormone (adrenaline and noradrenaline) were measured. In the results, VO2max has significantly increased according to the degree of the treadmill inclination, and M4 group (larger body type) consumed more oxygen than the M1 group (smaller body type). In the hormone, there was a significant increase in adrenaline concentration after walking in all groups, and there was a significant difference in M1-M4, M2-M4 and M3-M4. The noradrenaline concentration significantly increased after treadmill gait in all groups, and there was no significant difference in noradrenaline between groups. This study suggests that the larger body type consumes more oxygen during walking, and treadmill walking contributes to an increase in the concentration of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

Background: Gait problems appear in most stroke patients. Commonly, stroke patients show the typical abnormal gait patterns, such as circumduction, genu recurvatum, and spastic paretic stiff-legged gait. An inclined treadmill gait exercise is good for gait problems of stroke patients. In addition, the backward walking training has been recommended in order to improve the component of the movement for the forward walking. Objects: The purpose of this study to investigated the effects of backward walking with inclined treadmill training on the gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 30 volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups that walked on an inclined treadmill: the experimental group (n1=15), which walked backward, and the control group (n2=15), which walked forward. To measure the improvement of the patients’ gait, a Figure of Eight Walking Test (F8W), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) were performed. We also measured spatio-temporal gait variables, including gait speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support using a three-axial wireless accelerometer. The measurements were taken before and after the experiment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare both groups before and after the interventions. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparisons after the interventions. The statistical significance was set at α=.05. Results: Before and after experiment, all dependent variables were significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). As compared to the control group, the experimental group showed more significant improvements in F8W, FSST, speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support (p<.05); however, FGA in this group was not significantly different from the control (p>.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that backward walking on an inclined treadmill is more effective for improving the gait of stroke patients than forward walking.

Background: Many studies regarding task-oriented training have recently demonstrated functional improvement in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The task-oriented approach is very diverse, and chronic stroke patients must have access to a sustained systematic treatment program to enhance their walking ability. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of the task-oriented circuit training and treadmill training on walking function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a task-oriented circuit training group and a treadmill training group with 7 patients in each. Each training regimen was performed for 30 min a day and 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), 10-m Walk Test, 6-min Walk Test (6MWT), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Results: The change in results of the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS measured prior to and following the training regimens appeared to be significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). In addition, after the intervention, significant differences were found for all parameters in the task-oriented circuit training group and for the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS in the treadmill training group (p<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that task-related circuit training and treadmill training may be helpful to improve walking function and quality of life of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Additionally, a task-related circuit training program may achieve more favorable outcomes than a treadmill program.

Previous studies have investigated stepping over obstacles in treadmill walking training (TWT-OS) and treadmill walking training (TWT) alone for walking capacity not considering real physical activity. As such, we investigated the effects of TWT-OS on physical activity and changes in different levels of physical activity based on community ambulation in stroke patients. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 15 and 15 subjects, respectively. However, one subject from the control group was excluded because of inadequate treatment sessions. All subjects underwent routine physical therapy in the form of treadmill walking. The subjects in the experimental group underwent simultaneous training in obstacle-stepping while walking on the treadmill for 30 min/day, five times/week, for four weeks. Subjects were given a three-axis accelerometer to wear at the hip on a belt for one-week pre- and post-training physical activity. Step counts for seven days, average daily step counts, and the average of minutes spent in sedentary, light, and above moderate activity were chosen as outcome measures of physical activity. No significant differences between the groups were found in terms of step counts for seven days, average daily activity, or daily activity spent at sedentary levels after four-week interventions. However, the average daily activity spent at light levels (-42.60 min vs. -6.71 min) was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the controls. Conversely, average daily activity spent at above moderate levels was higher (19.86 min vs. 11.07 min) (p<.05) after adjusting for each baseline value. Significant pre- and post-training differences were found in all variables of the experimental group (p<.05). Thus, TWT-OS could improve physical levels above moderate activity as a community-oriented task more than simple repetitive waking on a treadmill, and it could provide an opportunity for patients ambulatory after stroke to participate in the community again.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of underwater treadmill gait training (UTGT) and overground treadmill gait training (OTGT) on the gait, balance ability and pulmonary function of stroke patients. Twenty subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: UTGT (n1=10) and OTGT (n2=10). The 10 m walk test (10 MWT), Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, center of pressure, pulmonary function of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume after 1 sec (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC were measured before and after 4 weeks of training. Both groups undertook the gait training for 30 min a day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks, and rating of perceived exertion of the groups were measured and compared. All the studied variables were significantly improved in both groups (p<.05) at the end of the study, except in the FEV1 of OTGT (p>.05). There was significant between-group difference in all of the variables, except in the 10 MWT (p>.05). These findings suggest that UTGT is more effective than OTGT in improving the balance and pulmonary functions of stroke patients.

In this paper, we developed a virtual reality-based contents that can gait analysis and gait training on a treadmill using a depth camera of Kinect. This content was used in the user's step length, step velocity, step count, flexion angle extracted by the Kinect skeleton tracking. Nine male subjects (24.9 years, 173.2cm) performed gait training using avatars to reflect their movements on the treadmill and confirmed result of gait analysis using real-time graphs to display their gait variables. Implemented contents can lead to a cognition reaction that is to avoid collisions with obstacles, as well as to determine the gait movements in a virtual reality. Based on these results, we will be able to make real time gait analysis and gait training, in consider the characteristics and safety of a rehabilitation patient by developing content that we have fun with additional tests for gait analysis.

The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the effects of low-dye taping on peak plantar pressure following treadmill walking exercise, 2) to determine whether the biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in peak plantar pressure was still maintained following removal of the tape during treadmill walking, and 3) to determine the trend towards a medial-to-lateral shift in peak plantar pressure in the midfoot region before and after application of low-dye taping. Twenty subjects with flexible flatfoot were recruited using a navicular drop test. The peak plantar pressure data were recorded during five treadmill walking sessions: (1) un-taped, (2) baseline-taped, (3) after a 10-minute treadmill walking exercise, (4) after a 20-minute treadmill walking exercise, and (5) after removal of the taping. The foot was divided into six parts during the data analysis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to investigate peak plantar pressure variations in the six foot parts in the five sessions. This study resulted in significantly increased medial forefoot peak plantar pressure compared to the un-taped condition (p=.017, post 10-minute treadmill walking exercise) and (p=.021, post 20-minute treadmill walking exercise). The peak plantar pressure in the lateral forefoot showed that there was a significant decrease after sessions of baseline-taped (p=.006) and 10-minute of treadmill walking exercise (p=.46) compared to the un-taped condition. The tape removal values were similar to the un-taped values in the five sessions. Thus, the findings of the current study may be helpful when researchers and clinicians estimate single taping effects or consider how frequently taping should be replaced for therapeutic purposes. Further studies are required to investigate the evidence in support of biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in the midfoot region.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (＞;24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) (n1=7) and control (FES) (n2=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p＜.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

The aim of this research was to investigate how the effects of body supported treadmill training with visual feedback affect the gait factors of stroke patients. Thirty subjects (21 male, 9 female) with a diagnosis of stroke were taken to the hospital to participate in this study. The subjects received body supported treadmill training with visual feedback. The training was executed for 6 minutes, 3 times a day per week for 19 weeks after general exercise. The effects of the visual feedback in the body supported treadmill training were evaluated by measuring the average gait cycle and the average step length of the affected and unaffected. The collected data were statistically analyzed by using a paired t-test. The results of this study were a significant improvement of the average gait cycle and no statistically significant difference of the average step length. The gait cycle average had a statistically significant difference in gender, age, etiology, paretic side, and step length average. There was no statistically significant difference in infarction within etiology. Therefore, it was necessary to apply the easy and simple with the treadmill training in the rehabilitation of the stroke patients. This study will require a variety of outcome measures related to the effects of treadmill training with gait factors.

This research sought to analyze the characteristics of breast movement at the treadmill activity levels. It also examined the effect of wearing a sports bra in reducing breast displacement. The subjects for the data collection were females in their 20s (n=2) with C-cup size breast. The experimental conditions were three different moving speeds (4 km/h, jogging: 7 km/h, and sprinting: 10 km/h) and two types of sports bras. Three dimensional breast displacement was measured. The displacement of the right nipple point was measured with a 3D motion analyzer. The results show that the breasts were greatly displaced from the walking speed (4 km/h) when subjects did not wear any bra. Whereas their breast displacement distance decreased remarkably when they wore sports bras. The nipple point moved 42~44 mm in the vertical direction at walking speed with naked condition. But it was reduced by 80% after wearing sports bras. When subjects running (7 km/h, 10 km/h) without any bra, the nipple point moved 122~141 mm. However it was reduced by 60~70% when they wore sports bras. The apartment time (time delay) between at the highest point of the upper body and the nipple was 0.25 seconds at the running speeds (7 km/h, 10 km/h) without wearing any bra. After wearing sports bras, the time delay was cut to 0.06~0.12 seconds. These results implies that without wearing any bra the skin surrounding the breasts might be seriously pulled at running activity. The functional sports bra suppress breast movement. It might prevent the sagging of breasts by preventing the damage of the Cooper's ligaments.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual cue deprivation during sideways treadmill training in individuals with stroke. Twenty-eight stroke patients were divided into two groups, and each group participated in a sideways treadmill training session for 20 minutes, three times per week for 4 weeks. The eyes close group (15 subjects) performed this treadmill training with visual cue deprivation, while the eyes open group (13 subjects) performed it without visual cue deprivation. Gait function was measured in both groups before and after the training sessions with the Biodex Gait Trainer 2, which determined walking speed, distance, step length, and time on each foot. Balance was measured before and after each training period in both groups using the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the seven-item Berg Balance Scale-3P (7-item BBS-3P). The eyes close group showed significantly improved gait function, walking speed, distance, step length, and time on each foot after training (p<.05). The eyes close group showed improved balance ability, FTSST, TUG, and 7-item BBS-3P test after training (p<.05). The findings indicated that sideways treadmill training with visual cue deprivation positively affects gait ability of stroke patients. Therefore, sideways treadmill training with visual cue deprivation may be useful for the recovery of gait ability of stroke patients.

The study aimed to compare the effect of the treadmill walking training combined with obstacle-crossing (TWT-OC) and treadmill walking training (TWT) on the walking function of patients with chronic stroke. 29 subjects volunteered to participate in this study; they were randomly assigned to either TWT-OC group (15 subjects) or TWT group (14 subjects). Subjects from the TWT-OC group underwent a treadmill walking combined with obstacles-crossing for 30 minutes daily, three days a week for four weeks, whereas subjects from the TWT group received only a treadmill walking. The 10 m walk test (10MWT), 6-min walk test (6MWT), berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), activities-specific balance confidence-Korean version (ABC-K), and walking ability questionnaire (WAQ) were measured before and after the 4-week training. The TWT-OC group showed significantly better functional mobility of walking and balance measured by 6MWT (p<.01), BBS (p<.01), and TUG scores (p<.05) when compared with those of the TWT group. Further, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<.01) except for 10MWT. These findings suggest that the TWT-OC and TWT may be helpful for improving the walking function of patients with chronic stroke, and the TWT-OC has probably more favorable outcomes for chronic stroke, however, further trials with wider range of subjects are warranted for generalization and clinical relevance.