Methods
stroke, BBS
STROKE
Forty stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The participants were divided randomly into two groups (groups A and B). The participants assigned to group A received RAGT with curara® type 4, whereas those in group B received conventional therapist-assisted gait training. The clinical trial period was 15 days. The participants performed 10 sessions of gait training (5 times per week) each lasting 30 ± 5 min per day. The 10-m walking time (10mWT), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were evaluated as the main outcomes. Timed up and go and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were also examined. Gait parameters (stride duration and length, standard deviation of stride duration and length, cadence, ratio of the stance/swing phases, minimum/maximum knee joint angle, and minimum/maximum hip joint angle) were measured using a RehaGait®. The items other than BBS were measured on days 0, 7, and 14, whereas BBS was measured on days 0 and 14. The improvement rate was calculated as the difference of values between days 14 and 0 divided by the value on day 0. The improvement rates of the 10mWT and 6MWD were set as the main outcomes.