Therapists’ cues influence lower limb muscle activation and kinematics during gait training in subacute stroke

Abstract

Within a treatment session, tactile cues more effectively altered cadence and double support time while verbal cues more consistently increased vastus lateralis and medial gastrocnemius activity. The effectiveness of these methods in fostering motor relearning in the longer term is an important area for future research. Implications for Rehabilitation Therapist cueing alters muscle activity on hemiparetic side with no effects on symmetry. Tactile cues, more so than verbal cues, increase cadence and reduce time in double support. Verbal cues are more effective at increasing vastus lateralis and plantarflexor muscle activity.