Objective: This study examined the effects of treadmill training with optic flow on the functional recovery of balance and gait in stroke patients.

Design: Randomized controlled experimental study.

Participants: Thirty patients following stroke were divided randomly into the treadmill with optic flow group (n = 10), treadmill group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10).

Interventions: The subjects in the experimental group wore a head-mounted display to receive speed-modulated optic flow during treadmill training for 30 minutes, while those in the treadmill group and control group received treadmill training and regular therapy for the same time, three times a week for four weeks.

Main measures: The data were collected using timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, 10-m walk test, and six-minute walk test before and after treatment.

Results: The timed up-and-go test in the treadmill with optic flow group (5.55 ± 2.04) improved significantly greater than the treadmill (1.50 ± 0.93) and control (0.40 ± 0.84) groups. The functional reach test in the treadmill with optic flow group (2.78 ± 1.44) was significantly higher than the control group (0.20 ± 0.16) only. The gait velocity in the treadmill with optic flow group (0.21 ± 0.06) showed a significant decrease compared to the treadmill (0.03 ± 0.02) and control (0.01 ± 0.02) groups. Finally, the six-minute walk test in the treadmill with optic flow group (24.49 ± 11.00) showed significant improvement compared to the treadmill training (4.65 ± 3.25) and control (1.79 ± 3.08) groups.

Conclusion: Treadmill using optic flow speed modulation improves the balance and gait significantly in patients with stroke who are able to participate in physical gait training.