Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training vs. Overground Walking Training in Persons With Chronic Stroke

Stephanie Miller

Status

Completed

Conditions

Difficulty Walking

Stroke

Treatments

Behavioral: Overground walking training

Behavioral: Body weight supported treadmill training

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT01180738

BWSTTvsOWT_UIndy

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to compare two different walking training programs for persons with chronic stroke.

Full description

Body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and overground walking training (OWT) are two interventions commonly applied for enhancing gait and balance in patients with chronic stroke. BWSTT and OWT are often used by clinicians separately or in tandem. While various aspects of the two interventions have been investigated in the past, limited research has been conducted to compare the effects of the two interventions in patients with chronic stroke.

Longer training durations may not always be feasible due to limited reimbursement options, lack of clinic accessibility, or transportation restrictions for patients with chronic deficits following stroke. A short burst of training consisting of a ''booster''-like protocol may provide a convenient option for some patients with chronic stroke to improve necessary functional skills in a short period of time.

The primary purpose of this pilot study is to compare walking speed immediately and 3-months after a short-burst of body-weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) or overground walking training (OWT) for adults with chronic stroke. Twenty participants with chronic stroke will be recruited and screened to determine eligibility for the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either BWSTT or OWT for 30 minutes, 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Outcome measures will include assessments of gait speed, endurance, walking pattern, fear of falling, balance confidence, anxiety, and activity and participation in daily life. Outcomes will be tested prior to (pre-test) and immediately after (post-test) the assigned intervention and again 3-months after completing the intervention (retention).

Enrollment

20 patients

Sex

All

Ages

21 to 80 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Minimum of 6 months post-stroke
Single episode of stroke
Between the ages of 21-80
Able to walk with or without the use of an assistive device or orthoses
Able to ambulate at a self-selected gait speed < 0.8 m/s as determined by the 10-meter comfortable walk test
Medically stable with a physician release stating approval to enter an exercise program
Able to follow at least two-step verbal instructions
Available for the entire period of the study
Able to travel to and from research measurement and intervention sessions

Exclusion criteria

Currently receiving physical therapy services
Co-morbidities or pre-existing cardiovascular conditions that would prohibit gait training and exercise
Pre-existing neurological or current musculoskeletal conditions that would limit gait ability separate from the effects of stroke
Complications from other health conditions that could influence walking
Currently known to be pregnant