Impact of Training on Gait and Strength in Stroke Survivors

Université de Montréal

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: isokinetic upper-limb training; Other: isokinetic lower-limb training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01818349

IRSC-44059

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: A discrepancy between strength gain and gait changes following various training programs aimed at improving gait function after stroke has been noted. A mismatch between the training program and gait parameters could explain this finding.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an isokinetic-strengthening program, matching the requirements of the affected lower-limb muscle groups involved in the energy generation of gait, to a control intervention, on gait performance and muscle strength.

Hypothesis: The isokinetic training program of the affected lower-limb muscles would produce greater changes in gait performance and strength than a control intervention not aiming at training these muscle groups.

Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Participants: A convenient sample of 30 individuals with chronic hemiparesis.

Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups (n=15), each training three times/week for six weeks. The experimental group trained the affected plantarflexors, hip flexors and extensors concentrically, while the control group trained the affected upper-limb muscles.

Main outcome measures: Baseline values and post-training values, taken at the end of the training program, of maximal voluntary concentric strength, gait speed and peak positive power.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• have a chronic (six months or more) unilateral stroke
• be able to walk 10 meters independently with or without a cane
• present residual weakness at the affected lower limb
• have an activity tolerance of at least two hours with a rest period

Exclusion criteria

• receptive aphasia
• incontinence
• unstable medical condition
• history of injury
• anesthesia at the lower limbs

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

isokinetic lower-limb training

Active Comparator group

Description:

3 times/week for 6 weeks

Treatment:

Other: isokinetic lower-limb training

isokinetic uppe-limb training

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

3 times/week for 6 weeks

Treatment:

Other: isokinetic upper-limb training