Effect of Gait Training Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Walking Pattern and Ability in Hemiparetic Poststroke Patients

Introduction: To compare the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) to conventional gaittraining for improving walking pattern and ability in hemiparetic postischemic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-three hemiparetic postischemic stroke patients were randomized into experimental group that receined RAS gait training and control group that receined conventional gait training. Pre- to posttest after a period of 3x/week for two weeks training were performed in a 2-meter and a 10-minute-walk tests to assess walking ability and pattern. Results: Pre- to posttest measurements revealed an improving walking pattern and ability for the RAS group (p 0.05). The improvements occured in velocity(56.9% vs 22,4%; p<0,05) and distance (57.6% vs 21,7%; p<0,05). Conclusion: RAS gait training improve walking pattern and ability more than conventional gaittraining in hemiparetic postischemic stroke patients. J Indon Med Assoc. 2012;62:183-8. Keywords: Gait Training, RAS, Stroke, Walking Ability, Walking Pattern.