Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Conditions
Keywords
gait, hemiparesis, physical therapy, walking
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of self-pacing algorithms in promoting step-length equalization in people with weakness on one side of the body. The main question it aims to answer is: • How does walking on a treadmill that uses self-pacing algorithms to adjust speed affect stride length in comparison to walking on a treadmill without self-pacing capability? Researchers will compare study participants to themselves when walking on a self-pacing treadmill compared to walking on a fixed-pacing treadmill to see if a difference exists in the equalization of left- and right-sided stride length. Participants will walk for two minutes at a self-selected pace to warm up and establish a baseline walking speed. They will then walk for 1 - 3 minutes either on a self-pacing treadmill or a fixed-pacing treadmill. A 3-minute seated rest break will follow. Then participants will walk for another 1 - 3 minutes using the treadmill not used in the first walking trial.
Detailed description
The chosen treadmill has self-pacing algorithms installed that adjust speed as a person walks. This allows a person to increase or decrease speed as desired throughout a walking session. Researchers have not yet determined the effect of using a self-pacing treadmill on left-right gait equalization among people with acquired hemiparesis secondary to stroke or traumatic brain injury. The researchers will compare measurement data captured by the system software when participants walk on the treadmill with the self-pacing feature turned on versus off. Each walking trial will last 1 - 3 minutes and will occur in a random order during a single research session. The randomization is to ensure that fatigue is not a factor when interpreting results.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWalking on self-pacing treadmill
Contrast with walking on fixed-pacing treadmill.
BEHAVIORALWalking on fixed-pacing treadmill
Contrast with walking on self-pacing treadmill.
Sponsors
Quality Living, Inc.
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Current client of Quality Living, Inc., in Omaha, NE * 19 to 75 years of age * Speak and understand English * Can ambulate overground for at least 10 minutes with or without use of aids * Medically cleared for treadmill exercise * Hemiparesis secondary to stroke or traumatic brain injury
Exclusion criteria
* Has not retained power of attorney for healthcare
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Difference in step length symmetry with self-pacing versus fixed-pacing treadmill walking | 1-3 minutes of walking on self-pacing treadmill and 1-3 minutes of walking on fixed-pacing treadmill during a single experimental session. | Non-hemiparetic side step length minus hemiparetic side step length when walking on self-pacing versus fixed pacing treadmill. |
| Difference in step-length on hemiparetic and non-hemiparetic sides | 1-3 minutes of walking on self-pacing treadmill and 1-3 minutes of walking on fixed-pacing treadmill. | Length of forward movement of each foot during each walking step as measured in centimeters. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
STUDY_DIRECTORKaren Hux, Ph.D.
Quality Living, Inc.
Outcome results
None listed