Targeted Ankle Proprioceptive Training Improves Balance, Gait, and Functional Mobility in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Targeted Ankle Proprioceptive Training Improves Balance, Gait, and Functional Mobility in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial With Longitudinal Follow Up

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07420608

Enrollment

140

Registered

2026-02-19

Start date

2023-01-01

Completion date

2025-12-31

Last updated

2026-02-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Balance; Distorted, Proprioceptive Disorders, Stroke Sequelae

Keywords

stroke, stroke sequelae

Brief summary

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with balance and gait deficits affecting \>80% of survivors and increasing fall risk. Emerging evidence links ankle proprioceptive impairment-particularly inversion/eversion acuity-to these deficits, often bilateral and central in origin. Cross-sectional studies show strong associations, but causality, temporal progression, and intervention efficacy (especially in severe/non-ambulatory cases) remain unproven. This trial tests a targeted proprioceptive protocol against standard care.

Detailed description

Objectives: Primary: To evaluate the causal effect of 12-week targeted ankle proprioceptive training on weight-bearing ankle proprioception (AMEDA) in chronic stroke survivors. Secondary: To assess effects on balance (Berg Balance Scale), gait speed (10m walk test), mobility (Timed Up and Go, Functional Ambulation Category), lower extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer), and sustainability at 6-month follow-up. To describe longitudinal proprioceptive changes in a subsample from acute to chronic stages.

Interventions

OTHERGait training

Both groups: 12 weeks, 3 sessions/week × 60 min, supervised. Intervention Group (n=70): Progressive targeted ankle proprioceptive training

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Multicenter, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 1:1 allocation, assessor-blinded, intention-to-treat analysis. Includes a longitudinal observational subsample for acute-to-chronic proprioceptive changes.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of chronic ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke (≥12 months post-stroke) * Moderate-to-severe lower extremity impairment (Fugl-Meyer LE ≤28 or NIHSS motor leg ≥2) * Documented ankle proprioceptive deficit (AMEDA AUC \<0.7)

Exclusion criteria

* Acute medical issues (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension) * Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE \<24) * Exercise contraindications * Concurrent conflicting trials

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Primary outcome	post-12 weeks, 6-month follow-up. Longitudinal subsample assessed from acute (<1 month) to chronic.	Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus for measuring propioceptive acuity

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Secondary outcome	post-12 weeks, 6-month follow-up. Longitudinal subsample assessed from acute (<1 month) to chronic.	Berg Balance Scale for assessment of static balance and fall risk.

Countries

Pakistan

Contacts

STUDY_DIRECTORAyman Abdullah Alhammad

Taibah University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 31, 2026