Author(s)

Wen-Ru Zhao, Hai-Hong Zhao, Xue-Min Zhang, Xiao Cao, Xin Li

Neurological Training Rehabilitation Department, Rehabilitation Hospital of National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids (NRRA), Beijing, China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the Chinese Daoyin technique (physical and breathing exercises), which is an ancient rehabilitation method, to elevate its effect and to standardize its operational procedure. Methods: Based on the ancient Chinese Daoyin technique, a six-step method was developed including: 1) motion imagination and imitation; 2) mental and breathing regulation; 3) target point determination; 4) motion percussion; 5) motion persistence; 6) relaxation. Sixty drop-foot patients who suffered from hemiparesis after a stroke were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. Functional evaluation including Fugl-Meyer assessment score, Lovett manual muscle test (MMT), active range of motion of the ankle joint and electromyography were performed before and after the training course. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 12.0. Results: The differences between the two groups were significant. The effectiveness of the six-step group was significantly better than the effectiveness of the control group. Conclusion: The six-step method of the Chinese Daoyin technique is an effective rehabilitation training method for drop-foot in stroke patients with hemiparesis.

Rehabilitation; Chinese Daoyin Technique; Six-Step Method; Hemiparesis; Drop-Foot

Zhao, W. , Zhao, H. , Zhang, X. , Cao, X. and Li, X. (2012) The mechanism and clinical effectiveness of the six-step Chinese Daoyin technique on hemiplegic patients with drop-foot. Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 5, 652-656. doi: 10.4236/jbise.2012.511081.