The use of electromyogram biofeedback to reduce Trendelenburg gait.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized controlled cohort study
PubMed 11606020 · doi:10.1007/s004210100466
What was done
Ten individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury presenting with Trendelenburg gait underwent a 2-month rehabilitation program consisting of 2 hours/day, 5 days/week of clinical muscle strengthening and gait training, plus 30 minutes/day of clinic biofeedback. Five of the 10 subjects additionally wore a portable two-channel electromyogram (EMG) biofeedback device at home that provided real-time audio warning tones when gluteus medius activation was insufficient or step duration was too short during walking.
What was found
Participants receiving clinic-only therapy showed an approximately 50% reduction in hip drop. Participants who also used the continuous home EMG biofeedback device achieved almost normal gait after the 2-month intervention. Exact numerical values, variances, and between-group statistical comparisons were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Continuous, wearable EMG biofeedback during daily activities may accelerate neuromuscular re-education for gait abnormalities compared to clinic-bound sessions alone.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 10, with 5 per group), allocation was non-randomized, and results in the abstract lack specific quantitative metrics or statistical testing. Long-term carryover after discontinuing the device was not evaluated.