Early body weight-supported overground walking training in patients with stroke in subacute phase compared to conventional physiotherapy: a randomized controlled pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitative program combining conventional therapy with early overground body weight-support training in improving independent walking for subacute stroke patients.
Results Summary
The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in independent walking (measured by FAC) compared to the control group, but no differences were observed in other functional mobility, disability, or gait endurance outcomes.
Population
Patients with subacute hemiparesis (stroke within 4 weeks) and significant gait deficiencies.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
body weight-support training | increase | independent walking after stroke | patients with chronic stroke sequelae | - | allows an early and controlled ambulatory training | #1 |
rehabilitative program that combines conventional approach with an early overground body weight-support training | increase | recovery of independent walking | patients with subacute stroke | - | evaluate the efficacy | #2 |
body weight-support | neutral | functional mobility, overall disability, and gait endurance | patients with subacute stroke | - | evaluate the impact | #3 |
body weight-supported overground walking added to conventional physiotherapy | increase | independent walking as detected by FAC | experimental group | experimental group: 3 vs. control group: 2, P < 0.01 | reached a statistically significant increase | #4 |
body weight-supported overground walking added to conventional physiotherapy | no change | other evaluation outcome measures | experimental group | - | No differences were observed | #5 |
BWS training | increase | walking autonomy | persons with subacute stroke | - | may be more effective than conventional therapy alone in improving | #6 |
Among the new rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving independent walking after stroke, the body weight-support training allows an early and controlled ambulatory training. To date, most available studies are based on treadmill body weight-support (BWS) training and involve patients with chronic stroke sequelae. In contrast, the effects of a BWS training performed on the ground in patients with subacute hemiparesis (stroke within 4 weeks), with significant gait deficiencies, is unknown. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitative program that combines conventional approach with an early overground body weight-support training, in terms of recovery of independent walking focussing on patients with subacute stroke. The secondary aim was to evaluate the impact of body weight-support also on functional mobility, overall disability, and gait endurance. A total of 37 participants were enrolled and randomized to experimental group or control group for the baseline evaluations. In the experimental group, body weight-supported overground walking was added to conventional physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The outcome measurements used were: Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC), Rivermead Mobility Index, Barthel Index, and the 6-minute Walk Test. At the evaluation 1 week after the end of the intervention period, experimental group reached a statistically significant increase of independent walking as detected by FAC (experimental group: 3 vs. control group: 2, P < 0.01). No differences were observed by the other evaluation outcome measures. We conclude that BWS training may be more effective than conventional therapy alone in improving walking autonomy in persons with subacute stroke.