Effects of gait training with a cane and an augmented pressure sensor for enhancement of weight bearing over the affected lower limb in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of gait training when using a cane with an augmented pressure sensor for enhancement of weight-bearing over the affected lower limb on the peak pressure force of the cane, muscle activation, and gait in patients with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled pilot study. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation center. Participants: A total of 22 hemiparetic stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 11) and control group, which later had a drop-out (n = 10). Interventions: Subjects in the experimental group participated in gait training with auditory feedback for 30 minutes, five times a week for four weeks, whereas those in the control group received gait training without auditory feedback for the same amount of time. Main measures: The peak force of cane, muscle activation of gluteus medius, and vastus medialis oblique, single limb support phase of the affected leg, and gait speed before and after training were collected. Results: Significant improvement in the peak force of cane, muscle activation of gluteus medius and vastus medialis oblique, single limb support phase of the affected leg, and gait speed were observed in the experimental group (13.5 9.5 cm/s) compared with the control group (3.7 +/- 8.4 cm/s) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gait training using a cane with an augmented pressure sensor to enhance weight bearing over the affected lower limb is beneficial and effective in improving the peak force of cane, muscle activation, and gait in stroke patients.