Effects of Observed Action Gait Training on Spatio-temporal Parameter and Motivation of Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of observed action gait training on stroke patients. METHODS: 22 subjects were randomized into two groups. The observed action gait training performed that watched a video of normal gait before gait training and the general gait training without watching it. The experimental group(n=11) performed observed action gait training and the control group(n=11) performed general gait training. Both group received gait training for 3 times per week during 8 weeks. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant differences in the cadence, gait velocity, stride, step, single limb support, double limb support, stride length and step length(p<.05). The control group showed significant differences only in the stride(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The observed action gait training affected coordination and weight shift, as well as symmetry of the body. Plasticity of the brain was facilitated by repetitive visual and sensory stimulation. The observed action gait training promoted the normal gait by watching the normal gait pattern. In conclusion, motor learning through the sensory stimulation promotes brain plasticity that could improve motor function, and observed action gait training indirectly identified stimulated brain activities.