An Experimental Study to Analyze the Efficacy of Backwards Gait Training on Balance and Weight Bearing Asymmetry on Sub-Acute Stroke Patient

Abstract

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and death, and the second leading cause of death
worldwide. The first month after a stroke is a vital period since the brain goes through major plastic changes during
this time. Motor learning studies emphasize the significance of experience and learning in functional rehabilitation.
Because training is a potent stimulator of neuroplasticity, the addition of a focused rehabilitation strategy can
improve recovery by maximizing brain reconfiguration. Backward Walking Training (BWT) is an adjuvant
therapeutic and rehabilitation method to improve proprioception, muscle strength, intra-limb coordination, and
balance. Studies examining its effects on balance and weight bearing asymmetry are lacking.
Objective: To determine the effect of BWT on balance and weight bearing asymmetry in sub acute stroke subjects.
Results: The difference between the pre- and post-test results within the group for balance on Berg Balance Scale
(BBS) as well as the weight on the affected and unaffected Lower Limb (LL) on the Body Weighing Machine
(BWM) are both deemed to be significant for paired T-Test. According to conventional standards, when comparing
pre- and post-test results for balance and the difference in weight between the two groups for the affected and
unaffected Lower Limb (LL) on the BWM for the experimental and control groups using Unpaired T-Test, it can
be inferred that the difference is statistically significant.
Conclusions: When combined with conventional physiotherapy as opposed to conventional physiotherapy
alone, backwards gait training has a modestly greater impact on balance and weight bearing asymmetry. Berg
balance score and weight bearing asymmetry can both be improved in stroke patients using BWT as an addition
to standard care (moderate evidence).