Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Biofeedback (BFB) is a rehabilitation method, which, among other things, is used for the restitution of motor and gait function. As of now, it has become technically feasible to use BFB training based on target gait parameters to improve the gait function in stroke patients. The walking patterns of...

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Main Authors: Dmitry V. Skvortsov, Sergey N. Kaurkin, Galina E. Ivanova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7212
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author Dmitry V. Skvortsov
Sergey N. Kaurkin
Galina E. Ivanova
author_facet Dmitry V. Skvortsov
Sergey N. Kaurkin
Galina E. Ivanova
author_sort Dmitry V. Skvortsov
collection DOAJ
description Biofeedback (BFB) is a rehabilitation method, which, among other things, is used for the restitution of motor and gait function. As of now, it has become technically feasible to use BFB training based on target gait parameters to improve the gait function in stroke patients. The walking patterns of stroke patients are generally characterized by significant gait phase asymmetries, mostly of the stance phase and the single stance phase. The aim of the study was to investigate the restoration of gait function using BFB training with gait phases as feedback targets. The study included two patient groups, each of 20 hemiparetic patients in the subacute stage of stroke and a control group of 20 healthy subjects. Each patient group received BFB training with either stance phase or single stance phase as the feedback target, respectively. The patients received a total of 8 to 11 training sessions. Assessments based on clinical scales and gait analysis data (spatiotemporal, kinematic, and EMG parameters) were performed before and after the training course. The score-based clinical assessments showed a significant improvement in both patient groups. According to the assessments of gait biomechanics, the subjects in the Single Stance Phase group had significantly more severe dysfunctions. In both patient groups, the unaffected limb responded to the BFB training, while the stance phase significantly changed after training in the unaffected limb only. The other patient group, trained using the single stance phase as the feedback target, showed no changes in the target parameter either in the affected or in the contralateral limb. The clinical and instrumental assessments showed different, non-equivalent sensitivity. The results of the study demonstrated the possibility to use targeted BFB training to improve walking function. However, a significant effect of such training was only observed with stance phase as the target parameter. A response to training was observed predominantly in the unaffected limb and facilitated the desired increase in the functional ability of the paretic limb. Training based on stance phase as the target parameter is probably preferable for the patient population under study.
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spelling doaj-art-d0c59b2739e948b2b81c9ddaea9dca532025-08-20T02:04:44ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-11-012422721210.3390/s24227212Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled TrialDmitry V. Skvortsov0Sergey N. Kaurkin1Galina E. Ivanova2Center for Brain and Neurotechnology, Moscow 117513, RussiaCenter for Brain and Neurotechnology, Moscow 117513, RussiaCenter for Brain and Neurotechnology, Moscow 117513, RussiaBiofeedback (BFB) is a rehabilitation method, which, among other things, is used for the restitution of motor and gait function. As of now, it has become technically feasible to use BFB training based on target gait parameters to improve the gait function in stroke patients. The walking patterns of stroke patients are generally characterized by significant gait phase asymmetries, mostly of the stance phase and the single stance phase. The aim of the study was to investigate the restoration of gait function using BFB training with gait phases as feedback targets. The study included two patient groups, each of 20 hemiparetic patients in the subacute stage of stroke and a control group of 20 healthy subjects. Each patient group received BFB training with either stance phase or single stance phase as the feedback target, respectively. The patients received a total of 8 to 11 training sessions. Assessments based on clinical scales and gait analysis data (spatiotemporal, kinematic, and EMG parameters) were performed before and after the training course. The score-based clinical assessments showed a significant improvement in both patient groups. According to the assessments of gait biomechanics, the subjects in the Single Stance Phase group had significantly more severe dysfunctions. In both patient groups, the unaffected limb responded to the BFB training, while the stance phase significantly changed after training in the unaffected limb only. The other patient group, trained using the single stance phase as the feedback target, showed no changes in the target parameter either in the affected or in the contralateral limb. The clinical and instrumental assessments showed different, non-equivalent sensitivity. The results of the study demonstrated the possibility to use targeted BFB training to improve walking function. However, a significant effect of such training was only observed with stance phase as the target parameter. A response to training was observed predominantly in the unaffected limb and facilitated the desired increase in the functional ability of the paretic limb. Training based on stance phase as the target parameter is probably preferable for the patient population under study.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7212cerebral strokehemiparesisgaitrehabilitationbiofeedback
spellingShingle Dmitry V. Skvortsov
Sergey N. Kaurkin
Galina E. Ivanova
Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Sensors
cerebral stroke
hemiparesis
gait
rehabilitation
biofeedback
title Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Targeted Biofeedback Training to Improve Gait Parameters in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort targeted biofeedback training to improve gait parameters in subacute stroke patients a single blind randomized controlled trial
topic cerebral stroke
hemiparesis
gait
rehabilitation
biofeedback
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/22/7212
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AT galinaeivanova targetedbiofeedbacktrainingtoimprovegaitparametersinsubacutestrokepatientsasingleblindrandomizedcontrolledtrial