COMPARISON OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM FOR ACUTE DISORDERS OF CEREBRAL CIRCULATION

Purpose: to compare the effect of gait training on a treadmill with body weight maintenance in a Guldmann device with gait therapy on a conventional surface in patients in the early phase of stroke. Materials and methods: 42 patients at an early stage of stroke (two to six weeks after stroke onset) were randomized into two therapeutic groups. The first to be given treadmill gait therapy in the Guldmann Weight Loss Device (BWSTT) and the comparative group to be given walking on a natural surface. Results: The Berg Equilibrium Scale, the difference between the score at the first examination (before therapy) and the score obtained after the end of therapy, averaged 8 points in both groups. The average time improvement obtained in the BWSTT group was 4.0 ± 3.30 seconds, and in the comparison group – 2.2 ± 1.90 seconds. Estimation of gait speed. The difference in gait speed between the baseline value and the value obtained after therapy in the BWSTT group was 0.38 ± 0.20 m/s, while in the comparison group it was 0.2 ± 0.10 m/s. Evaluation of the gait function. After the therapy, the average value of this indicator in the BWSTT group increased to 338.90 ± 107.70 meters, and in the comparison group – to 253.80 ± 125.50 meters. Conclusions: Walking training on a treadmill with body weight maintenance has a more beneficial effect on functional improvement (balance, speed and gait distance) in patients in the early phase of stroke, compared to gait therapy on a normal surface.