Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Backward walking, Action observation training, Gait symmetry, Gait variability, Brain activity, Stroke
Brief summary
Walking impairment is one of the most common and concerning issues for individuals with stroke. Previous studies have often used improvements in walking speed and distance as reference indicators for gait performance progress in individuals with stroke. However, for people with chronic stroke, it may be more appropriate to prioritize improving gait symmetry and gait variability to enhance gait quality as a primary intervention goal. Additionally, stroke can lead to an imbalance in interhemispheric brain activity, which evolves as motor function recovers. According to the literature review, backward walking may extend the support time of the lower limbs, thereby enhancing the weight-bearing capacity of the affected limb. This, in turn, could promote gait symmetry and reduce gait variability. Changes in brain activity might also accompany such improvements in gait quality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the immediate, short-term and post carryover intervention effects of backward walking observation training on gait quality in individuals with chronic stroke as well as to explore its effects on interhemispheric activity balance in individuals with chronic stroke.
Interventions
OTHERBackward walking observation training
Backward treadmill training after watching a video of backward walking.
OTHERNon-motor observational backward walking training
Backward treadmill training after watching a video of landscape without any movements.
Sponsors
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* ≥ 6 months after the diagnosis of stroke * Independent walking over at least 7m with or without a walking aid * Mini-mental state examination score ≥ 24
Exclusion criteria
* Had difficulty in backward walking * Any neuromuscular disorders history * With visual or auditory disorders * Unstable cardiac status or uncontrolled hypertension * Any musculoskeletal disorders that would affect walking ability
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brain activity | Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using functional near infrared spectroscopy to measure the oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) in the bilateral prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area and primary motor cortex. |
| Gait symmetry | Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using GAITRite system to measure the symmetry of spatiotemporal parameters |
| Gait varability | Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using GAITRite system to measure the coefficient of variation of spatiotemporal parameters |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gait performance | Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using GAITRite system to measure the gait spatiotemporal parameters |
| Taiwan Chinese version Falls Efficacy Scale | Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using Taiwan Chinese version Falls Efficacy Scale to evaluate concerns about falling |
| Time Up & Go test | Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using Time Up & Go test to assess functional mobility |
| Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale | Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up | Using Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale to evaluate individual's balance confidence in performing daily activities |
Countries
Taiwan
Contacts
Primary ContactYea-Ru Yang, PhD
Outcome results
None listed