Teasell Robert W, Bhogal Sanjit K, Foley Norine C, Speechley Mark R
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Joseph's Health Care London and University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Top Stroke Rehabil. 2003 Summer;10(2):34-65. doi: 10.1310/UDXE-MJFF-53V2-EAP0.
A major component of stroke rehabilitation focuses on gait restoration. The purpose of this review is to examine the efficacy of a variety of gait retraining techniques currently in clinical use, including strength training, functional electrical stimulation, treadmill training, partial body-weight support, EMG biofeedback, and splinting of the lower extremity. Forty-eight studies evaluating six gait enhancement techniques were reviewed. There is either strong or moderate evidence to support the use of strength training, EMG/biofeedback, and functional electrical stimulation as an adjunctive therapy in gait training, and there is either limited or conflicting evidence to support the use of ankle-foot orthosis, treadmill training, and partial body-weight support.
