Immediate Effect of Exercise Therapy Using ‘Spider’ for Chronic Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia

[Purpose] This study examined the immediate effect of physical therapy using ‘Spider’ on the balance ability of post-stroke hemiplegic patients. [Participants and Methods] Ten chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia (age: 73.5 ± 8.2) received the Functional Reach Test (FR) and Timed Up & Go Test (TUG) before and after exercise therapy (10 squats and 10 steps with the non-paralyzed side preceding) using ‘Spider’ (Spider condition) or no device (control condition). Two-way analysis of variance was performed before and after each condition. [Results] Interactions with FR and TUG were observed under both conditions, as the distance significantly increased in the former, and the time significantly shortened in the latter after the therapy. [Conclusion] Exercise therapy using ‘Spider’ was suggested to have a favorable immediate effect on the balance ability of stoke patients with hemiplegia.