Body-weight-supported treadmill walking training improves functional walking and balance in stroke survivors at any poststroke stage: A systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of body-weight-supported treadmill walking training (BWS-TWT) to improve functional walking and balance in any poststroke stage. Clinical studies where BWS-TWT was administered to stroke patients in any poststroke stage were considered. Pre-and a postintervention measurements of walking speed (WS), cadence, Berg balance scale (BBS), distance in the six-minute walking test (6minWT), and time in the timed-up-and-go test (TUGT) were analyzed. After performing BWS-TWT, acute patients increased WS by 16.6%, BBS score by 98.7%, and distance in the 6minWT by 42.3%. Subacute patients increased WS by 84%, cadence by 32.23%, and score in the BBS by 57.6%. Chronic patients increased WS by 39.07%, cadence by 48.16%, BBS score by 5.07%, and distance in the 6minWT by 22.9%; TUGT time decreased by 3.8 s. There is strong evidence that BWS-TWT increases WS, cadence, balance, and endurance of stroke survivors at any stage poststroke, but the intervention better impacts acute patients, who may show more deficits.