Effects of Treadmill Training Integrating Action Observation Training and Knowledge of Performance Feedback on Balance, Gait, and Activities of Daily Living in Patient with Chronic Stroke Patient : A Single Case Study

This study aimed to examine the effects of treadmill walking training combined with action observation training and knowledge of performance on balance, walking, and activities of daily living in a single patient with chronic stroke. The intervention was conducted three times per week for four weeks, in which the participant watched action observation training for ten minutes, received knowledge of performance, and then performed treadmill walking training twice, resulting in a total of forty minutes of intervention per session. Quantitative walking ability was assessed using the ten-meter walking test and the six-minute walking test, qualitative walking ability was assessed using the Wisconsin gait scale, functional walking ability was assessed using the timed up and go test and the figure of eight walk test, balance ability was assessed using the berg balance scale and the four square step test, and activities of daily living were assessed using the modified barthel index before and after the intervention. The results showed improvements in walking speed and endurance in the ten-meter walking test and the six-minute walking test, enhanced functional mobility in the timed up and go test and the figure of eight walk test, and a slight improvement in balance ability in the berg balance scale, whereas the four square step test, the wisconsin gait scale, and the modified barthel index showed no significant changes. These findings indicate that treadmill walking training combined with action observation training and knowledge of performance has positive effects on walking speed, functional mobility, and balance in patients with chronic stroke, but has limited effects on activities of daily living and qualitative aspects of walking, suggesting its potential use as a rehabilitation strategy in clinical practice.