Effects of Underwater Gait Training Using Auditory Stimulation with Progressive Rhythm on Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Balance, and Gait Abilities in Stroke Patients

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine changes in muscle strength, balance and gait abilities in stroke patients through underwater gait training with progressive rhythm auditory stimulation and to identify effective aquatic rehabilitation methods.Methods: A total of thirty-seven subjects diagnosed with stroke were randomly divided into three groups.Progressive rhythm auditory stimulation underwater gait training group (PUG) (n= 15), comfortable velocity underwater gait training (CUG) (n= 11) and control group (n= 11).Subjects received underwater gait training for 30 minutes, three times a week for 6 weeks.All subjects were assessed with Medical Research Council (MRC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10 Meter Walking Test (10MWT) and Fugl-Myer Assessment (FMA) pre-and post-intervention.Results: All participants indicated significant improvements in all measured outcomes across all participants following the intervention (p< 0.05).The PUG showed significant differences in all evaluation parameters when compared to the CUG (p< 0.05).Additionally, the PUG demonstrated significant improvements in all assessment areas compared to the control group (p< 0.05).Similarly, the CUG showed significant improvements in all assessment parameters compared to the control group (p< 0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that Progressive rhythm auditory stimulation underwater gait training is effective in improving balance and gait abilities and suggests an effective strategy of aquatic rehabilitation.