Effect of body weight supported treadmill training on gait cycle and lower limb joint angle in patients with Parkinsonʼs disease．

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare gait cycle during treadmill walking and body weight supported treadmill training with angles of the hip joint and both knee and ankle joints of patients with Parkinsonʼs disease (PD). Methods: The study included 10 healthy subjects and 7 patients with PD (Analysis target is 5 patients). The gait cycle ratio and lower limb angle data of the body weight supported treadmill training and treadmill walking were measured using the body weight supported device (SPIDER by Assist) and the portable 3D motion analysis device (MyoMOTION™ by Noraxon).  Results: There was no significant difference between the conditions among healthy subjects. Among patients with PD, the proportion of the stance phase decreased and that of the swing phase increased during body weight supported treadmill training compared with treadmill walking (p-value<0.05). In addition, patients with PD reduced significantly the simultaneous support phase (p-value<0.05).  Conclusion: In conclusion, body weight supported treadmill training in PD patients decreased the rate of simultaneous support phase, suggesting that it may be a factor in increasing stride length.