SRINAGARIND MEDICAL JOURNAL

Volume 35, No. 05, Month SEPTEMBER, Year 2020, Pages 537 - 544

A comparison study of walking ability using thera-band wrapping at knee level and hip level in stroke patients

Supreeya Rachashiha, Jittima Saengsuwan

Abstract Download PDF

Background and Objective: Rehabilitation for walking after stroke is crucial. Thera-Band can be an option for the gait rehabilitation in stroke patients with foot drop. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Thera-Band wrapping at knee level and to compare the effect of knee and hip level wrapping on walking ability. Methods: A randomized crossover trial was done in ten stroke patients. Patients were assessed by the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) and the 10 meter walk test (10MWT) at baseline. Patients were then randomized to walk with Thera-Band wrapping at knee and hip levels. WGS and 10MWT were assessed for each wrapping level. Results: Wrapping at knee level decreased WGS from 23.5 to 20.4 (p = 0.016), increased comfortable gait speed from 0.44 to 0.57 m/s (p = 0.007) and fast gait speed from 0.70 to 0.76 m/s (p = 0.017). Patients walking with wrapping at knee level had higher fast gait speed compared to wrapping at hip level (0.76 vs 0.73, p = 0.047). No difference was found in WGS and comfortable gait speed. Conclusions: The use of Thera-Band wrapping at both hip and knee levels improved walking ability and gait speed. Thera-Band at knee level led to higher fast gait speed compared to hip level.

Keywords

A stroke Rehabilitation Walking training Elastic Band

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