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Effects of walking trainings on walking function among stroke survivors: a systematic review.

International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation
March 1, 2018
Daudet Ilunga Tshiswaka et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of walking training (overground or treadmill) on improving physical function, particularly walking ability, in stroke survivors.

Results Summary

Walking speed, distance, and gait speed were common outcome measures, with some interventions (e.g., treadmill training augmented by auditory stimulation) showing significant improvements in physical function compared to overground walking. However, not all interventions maintained improvements at follow-up.

Population

Stroke survivors with compromised physical function.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
walking training
increase
physical function
stroke survivors
-
improving
#1
walking training
increase
walking
stroke survivors
-
enhancing
#2
walking treadmill training augmented by auditory stimulations
increase
physical function
-
-
reported significant improvements
#3
overground walking training augmented by auditory stimulations
neutral
physical function
-
-
compared with
#4
walking training
no change
locomotor improvements
-
-
Preserved locomotor improvements were not noted
#5
Abstract

Physical function is often compromised as a result of stroke event. Although interventions propose different strategies that seek to improve stroke survivors' physical function, a need remains to evaluate walking training studies aimed at improving such physical function. The aim of this review was to assess the available literature that highlights the impact of walking training on enhancing walking for stroke survivors. We performed a systematic literature review of online databases - Google Scholar, PubMed, CINHAL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EBSCO - with the following inclusion criteria: manuscript published from 2005 to 2016, written in English, with treatment and control groups, for walking training studies aimed at improving physical function among stroke survivors. Findings indicated that walking speed, walking distance, and gait speed were the most used outcome variables for measuring improved physical function among stroke survivors. Importantly, proposed interventions involved either overground or treadmill walking trainings, if not both. Preserved locomotor improvements were not noted in all interventions at follow-up. Some interventions that used walking treadmill training augmented by auditory stimulations reported significant improvements in physical function compared with overground walking training augmented by auditory stimulations. The imperative to improve physical function among stroke survivors with physical impairment is paramount, as it allows survivors to be socially, emotionally, and physically more independent. In general, we note an insufficiency of research on the interaction between physical function and socialization among stroke survivors.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Exercise TherapyGaitHumansInterpersonal RelationsLocomotionStroke RehabilitationWalkingWalking Speed
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations15
Citations/Year2.1
Relative Citation Ratio1.34
NIH Percentile61.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.08
Normalized Score0.66
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