To investigate the training effects on balance and gait ability using balance control trainer combined with partial weight-bearing system in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients.

A prospective crossover clinical trial was designed. The subjects consisted of 16 chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. All patients had a stroke more than six months. In addition to conventional physical therapy (PT), 8 patients in group A were trained with the balance control trainer for 30 min/day, 5 day/week, for first 2 weeks and then received only conventional physical therapy for 2 weeks. The other 8 patients in group B received only conventional PT for first 2 weeks and then were trained with the balance control trainer for 30 min/day, 5 day/week, for next 2 weeks, with additional conventional PT. We evaluated with clinical tests including functional ambulation categories (FAC), Berg balance scale (BBS), 6 min walking distance (6mWT), timed up and go (TUG), Korean-modified barthel Index (K-MBI) and muscle strengthening of knee extensor (MMT_knee) before training, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after training in those patients.

After training, subjects in experimental period (2weeks period of conventional PT+Balance control trainer in group A&B) showed more improvement than those in control period (2 weeks period of only conventional PT in group A&B) in FAC, BBS, 6mWT, TUG, K-MBI (p<0.05).

We think the balance control trainer combined with the partial weight-bearing system can be a useful tool for improving balance and gait ability in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients.