Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (8): 896-905.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.08.005

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Comparison of effect of different types of exercise on gait and balance for stroke patients

ZHANG Ziang1, CHEN Jing2,3, SHEN Mengru2, GENG Zongxiao1, HAN Xue1, ZHAO Xu1, XU Lei1()   

  1. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui 233000, China
    2. Graduate School, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui 233000, China
    3. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
  • Received:2025-01-20 Revised:2025-07-04 Published:2025-08-25 Online:2025-09-01
  • Supported by:
    Anhui Jianghuai Young Famous Medical Talent Project([2022]392);Anhui Clinical Medical Research Transformation Special Project(202304295107020085)

Abstract:

Objective To compare the effect of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on gait and balance for stroke patients.

Methods From December, 2023 to December, 2024, 96 patients with post-stroke gait and balance dysfunction were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, and randomly divided into control group (n= 32), MICT group (n= 32) and HIIT group (n= 32). The control group received routine comprehensive rehabilitation therapy, while MICT and HIIT groups received additional respective training, for four weeks. They were measured with symmetry indexes (SI) of mean pressure and footprint area during eyes-open and eyes-closed condition, as well as anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass, before and after treatment; while they were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), distance of 6-minute walk test (6MWT), time of Timed Up & Go test (TUGT) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE).

Results The main effects of time (F> 351.683, P< 0.001) and groups (F> 4.945, P< 0.05), and the interaction effects (F> 16.919, P< 0.001) were significant for BBS scores, distance of 6MWT, time of TUGT and 10MWT, and FMA-LE scores; and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group (P < 0.05) after treatment, and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group (P < 0.05) except BBS score. Under eyes-open condition, the main effects of time (F > 64.684, P < 0.001) and groups (F > 9.472, P < 0.001), and the interaction effects (F > 10.562, P < 0.001) were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area, and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass; and all the indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group (P < 0.001) after treatment, and they were better in HIIT group than in MICT group (P < 0.05). Under eyes-closed condition, the main effects of time (F > 107.730, P < 0.001) and groups (F > 4.275, P < 0.05), and the interaction effects (F > 7.985, P < 0.05) were significant for SI of mean pressure and footprint area, and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral displacement of the center of mass; and SI of mean pressure was better in HIIT group than in MICT group (P < 0.05), the other indicators were better in MICT group and HIIT group than in the control group (P < 0.001) after treatment.

Conclusion Both HIIT and MICT can improve gait and balance for stroke patients, and HIIT is more effective on gait and static balance with eyes open, but similar on static balance with eyes closed.

Key words: stroke, high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, gait ability, balance

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