Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of low-speed treadmill training on function of lower limbs in hemiplegic patients afterstroke. Methods 26 hemiplegic patients after stroke were divided into the treatment group (n=14) and control group (n=12). Both groups acceptedroutine rehabilitation, and the treatment group accepted low-speed treadmill training in addition. They were evaluated with Fugl-MeyerAssessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 6-min walk distance, 10-m walking speed before and after treatment. Results The scoresof FMA and BBS, and the distance of 6-min walk, speed of 10-m walking improved in both groups (P<0.05), and improved more in thetreatment group than in the control group (P<0.05) after 3-mouth treatment. Conclusion Low-speed treadmill training can significantly improvewalk ability and balance function of the hemiplegic patients after stroke.

Key words: stroke, hemiplegia, low-speed treadmill training, walking, balance