Both AGRF and TLA feedback improved inter-limb asymmetries
stroke, post-stroke
STROKE
Our study showed that, as seen in previous results with unilateral gait biofeedback among able-bodied individuals [As a caveat, TLA asymmetry worsened or reversed during TLA biofeedback for some stroke participants, such that the paretic leg demonstrated a larger TLA than the non-paretic leg. In people post-stroke, who typically have a shorter TLA on the paretic leg, this reversal of asymmetry such that the paretic leg now has a larger TLA may be deemed an undesired effect of TLA feedback. Perhaps this information, which can be gleaned using a short duration walking bout exposing the individual to biofeedback, could be utilized to personalize the target biofeedback variable. In other words, for those individuals who show reversal of TLA asymmetry with TLA feedback, perhaps AGRF feedback or a lower % TLA target would be a better biofeedback training strategy. Furthermore, a reversal of TLA asymmetry, while not ideal, does show that there is considerable reserve or capacity for paretic leg TLA to be increased post-stroke, and that normalization of TLA asymmetry may be achieved through biofeedback-based gait training interventions. Biofeedback-induced improvements of gait performance were recorded in short 60-s trials of AGRF and TLA biofeedback, further underscoring the immediacy of biofeedback-induced perturbation of gait patterns, and potential benefits of biofeedback as a post-stroke intervention.