None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Following stroke few survivors regain full walking ability as impaired balance; slower walking speed and poor cardiorespiratory fitness are frequently evident by rehabilitation end. Treadmills have been used to improve walking in acute stroke patients and fitness in chronic stroke patients. There are no published studies investigating if treadmill walking can improve walking and fitness simultaneously. This single-blind randomised controlled trial will examine the effectiveness of a treadmill-walking program with specific heart rate targets to improve walking following stroke. If effective this intervention has the potential to improve independence and mobility following stroke thus reducing the burden of care in the community. This study will establish effectiveness to support a future larger trial. The aim of this project is to investigate in people with a stroke who are able to walk, does participation in a 6-week treadmill walking program with specific target heart rates: i. improve gait performance and cardiorespiratory fitness without compromising gait quality? ii. result in gains that are maintained 3 months later?
Interventions
Treadmill walking - 30 minute sessions, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Total dose of treadmill walking 9 hours. Participants will receive usual physiotherapy and rehabilitation during this time.
Sponsors
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Factorial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
-2147483648 No limit to -2147483648 No limit
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Diagnosis of stroke Medically stable Able to walk independently prior to stroke Are referred for physiotherapy Have gait deficits on initial assessment Have sufficient cognition and communication to understand the purpose of the study and give informed consent or mini mental state exam >22 Attain a score of at least 3 on Motor Assessment Scale, Walking Able to walk on the treadmill with or without assistance of 1 person
Exclusion criteria
Have any other neurological conditions that may influence their gait (eg. PD, MS) Have major musculoskeletal disorders that may influence their gait (eg. amputation, fracture, THR) Have any uncompensated sensory dysfunction that may affect their gait (e.g. blindness) Have any cardiovascular problems that would limit their participation in physiotherapy
Outcome results
None listed