Objective
To investigate the relationship between variables measured by sliding rehabilitation machine and gait parameters in hemiplegic stroke patients. Method: Thirty-two patients with hemiplegia due to stroke were included in this study. Maximal inclinations of sliding rehabilitation machine where each patient could extend their knee and plantarflex their ankle, and the ratio of the load in affected lower limb to total body weight were measured. Clinical parameters such as functional ambulation classification, 10 meter walking time, timed up and go test, Berg balance scale, modified Barthel index, and manual muscle test were evaluated. We investigated correlations between variables measured by sliding rehabilitation machine and gait parameters using Pearson test. Results: Maximal inclination of sliding rehabilitation machine and the ratio of the load in affected lower limb to total body weight were significantly correlated with almost all measured clinical parameters. Conclusion: Sliding rehabilitation machine could be a useful and objective method to measure the closed kinetic chain strength and function of affected lower limb including gait in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 196-201)
