Original scientific paper

Effect of neurophysiotherapy intervention on the restoration of hemiparetic and ataxic gait pattern

Matea Vrtarić ; Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mirjana Telebuh ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Lukrecija Jakuš ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Gordana Grozdek Čovčić ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Dalibor Kiseljak ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Marina Horvat Tišlar ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mihaela Grubišić ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Nikolino Žura ; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main motor deficits in
neurological patients is gait impairment. Normal gait
occurs as an automatic activity involving symmetrical
synergy of walking speed and step length. Changes
in the central nervous system manifest in the motor
activities of neurological patients, causing difficulties
and deviations in balance and coordination, base of
support width, muscle weakness, and muscle tone,
which lead to pathological patterns in the stance and
swing phases during gait. Each pathological gait pattern
reduces the efficiency and economy of walking and
requires excessive energy expenditure, resulting in an
asymmetric pattern, reduced speed, and reduced step
length.
Aim: To determine the effect of neurophysiotherapy
intervention on the restitution of hemiparetic and ataxic
gait patterns in neurosurgical patients.
Materials and methods: This non-randomized pre–post
intervention study was conducted on a sample of 30
participants. They were divided into two groups: the first
group (G1) included participants with a hemiparetic gait
pattern (N = 15), while the second group (G2) included
participants with an ataxic gait pattern (N = 15). To
assess the effectiveness of the neurophysiotherapy
intervention on gait restoration, the Berg Balance Scale,
Dynamic Gait Index, and Timed Up and Go test were
used. Participants were tested at the beginning and at
the end of therapy.
Results: The effect of the neurophysiotherapy intervention in the hemiparetic gait group was statistically
significant (BBS = 0.005; DGI = 0.004; TUG = 0.001;
p < 0.01), as well as in the ataxic gait group. (BBS =
0.001; DGI = 0.001; TUG = 0.001; p < 0.01). There was
no statistically significant difference between the two
groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Early, individualized, and targeted neurophysiotherapy intervention effectively improves balance
and gait in neurosurgical patients with hemiparetic
and ataxic gait patterns. The observed positive clinical
trends and statistically significant improvements confirm
the importance of facilitation approaches and problemoriented therapy in early neurorehabilitation. Further
research with larger samples and advanced outcome
assessment methods is needed.

Keywords

balance, neurophysiotherapy, gait restitution, hemiparetic gait, ataxic gait

Hrčak ID:

347140

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347140

Publication date:

7.5.2026.

Visits: 0 *