Effect of the class and individual applications of task-oriented circuit training on gait ability in patients with chronic stroke

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine differences in gait abilities by comparing class-based task-oriented circuit training (CTCT) and individual-based task-oriented circuit training (ITCT). [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 patients who were diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke more than six months previously. They were divided into Group I (n=10), which received conventional physiotherapy, Group II (n=10), which received conventional physiotherapy and ITCT, and Group III (n=10), which received conventional physiotherapy and CTCT. To determine the qualitative aspect of gait ability, a GAITRite (CIR Systems Inc., Sparta NJ, USA) was employed, while a two-minute walking test (2MWT) was conducted to determine the quantitative aspect. [Results] The gait ability showed significant differences in velocity, cadence, and 2MWT between groups in the significance test. As a result, the Bonferroni post test showed that gait velocity was significantly different between Groups I and II and between Groups I and III, while cadence showed a significant difference between Groups I and III. In the 2MWT, Groups I and II and Groups I and III also showed significant differences. [Conclusion] Both the individual and class applications task-oriented circuit training were effective for improving gait ability. This result indicates that CTCT can improve the physical ability of stroke patients as much as ITCT.