PURPOSE: Stroke patients tend to avoid weight-bearing on the paretic limb, which results in asymmetrical gait patterns. This study examined the effects of gait training using a treadmill with an inclined surface on the affected side, which is designed to facilitate weight shifting toward the paretic limb, on gait and balance function. METHODS: Thirty chronic stroke patients were assigned randomly to either an experimental group or a control group (15 per group). Both groups received 30 minutes of neuro- developmental treatment. Following this, the experimental group received 25 minutes of treadmill-based gait training with affected side tilting, while the control group received 25 minutes of general treadmill training. The 10-Meter Walk Test, Functional Ambulation Category, Fugl–Meyer Assessment for the Lower Extremity, and GAITRite system were used to evaluate the gait ability. The Timed Up and Go test and Berg Balance Scale were used to assess balance ability. Interventions were conducted three times a week for four weeks, and all assessments were repeated post- intervention.
RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements from the baseline in gait velocity, cadence, step time, and balance scores. The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in the gait velocity, cadence, step time (affected and non-affected side), Timed Up and Go test, and Berg Balance Scale (p < .05). No significant between-group differences were observed in the 10-Meter Walk Test, Functional Ambulation Category, or Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity. CONCLUSION: Treadmill training with affected side tilting is effective in improving gait and balance because it facilitates weight shift toward the paretic limb. Therefore, it can be recommended as a beneficial intervention for gait rehabilitation with chronic stroke patients.