Enhanced Treadmill Based Gait Training After Stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Design and Testing of an Enhanced, Treadmill Based Training Program for Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation, through Co-Production with Users; Incorporating Visual Flow, Ankle Foot Orthosis and Functional Electrical Stimulation.
IRAS ID
236335
Contact name
Andrew Kerr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Recovering walking function is a priority for people with stroke. Intensive practice on a treadmill enhanced with virtual reality and help with body weight is a promising treatment however, its clinical feasibility and acceptability is unknown. We propose carrying out a series of single case studies to assess clinical feasibility, estimate any effect and gather feedback to improve future implementation.
We aim to recruit 40 participants who have had a stroke in the past year, are fit for rehabilitation and are attending Coathill hospital for gait training. Participants will attend Coathill hospital 2-3 times a week for 8 weeks, with a follow-up assessment 3 months later. During the rehabilitation sessions participants will receive enhanced gait training in place of their conventional gait training. The enhanced training will consist of walking on a treadmill that varies speed naturally with the participant’s movement and synchronised with a virtual reality projection. In addition, participants will receive either functional electrical stimulation to their weak muscles or an ankle foot orthosis, which are both established treatments. Allocation will be balanced and pre-determined. All sessions will be supervised by the NHS physiotherapists and a safety harness will be worn to remove any falls risk.
Outcome measures will consist of a questionnaire on acceptability, tests of walking ability indoors (speed, duration and step length) measured with a motion capture system and outdoors measured with a small physical activity monitor worn on the thigh for 48 hours. In addition, we will record details of the stroke (type, severity and location) at the beginning, and cognition and general mobility throughout the study.
These outcome measures will be recorded a week before intervention, immediately before, half way through, at outcome and then 3 months afterwards. They will then be compared statistically to estimate impact on recovery of walking function.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
17/WS/0245
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion