Huei-Ching Yang, Chia-Ling Lee, Roxane Lin, Miao-Ju Hsu, Chia-Hsin Chen, Jau-Hong Lin, Sing Kai Lo

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of biofeedback cycling training on lower limb functional recovery, walking endurance, and walking speed for patients with chronic stroke. Thirty-one patients with stroke (stroke onset -3 months) were randomly assigned into two groups using a crossover design. One group (N = 16; mean: 53.6 + 10.3 years) underwent conventional rehabilitation and cycling training (30 minutes/time, 5 times per week for 4 weeks), followed by only conventional rehabilitation for another 4 weeks. The other group (N – 15; mean: 54.5 + 8.0 years) underwent the same training in reverse order. The bike using biofeedback cycling training. Outcome measures included the lower extremity subscale, the 6-minute walk test, the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and the modified Ashworth scate (MAS). All Participants were assessed at the beginning of the study, at the end of the 4″ week, and at the end of the 8′” week. Thirty participants completed the study, including the cycling training interventions and all assessments.

Results: Showed that improvements in the period with cycling training were significantly better than the non cycling period. The improvements on outcome measures were significantly different between the cycling period and the non cycling period. The study result indicates that the additional 4-week biofeedback cycling training could lead to improved LE functional recovery, walking endurance, and speed for patients with chronic stroke.