Treadmill Oscillation Walking to Improve Weight Transfer During Gait Following Stroke

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · Sep 12, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new type of exercise called treadmill oscillation walking (TOW) to see if it can help improve walking abilities in people who have had a stroke. Specifically, the study will measure how this exercise affects the muscles and movements of the hips and knees in individuals who have had a stroke for at least six months. Researchers believe that participating in TOW will help increase muscle activity and improve walking speed, making it easier for participants to walk and transfer weight between their legs.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be aged between 65 and 74, have experienced a stroke that has affected one side of their body, and should be able to walk at least 10 meters, even if they need a walking aid. They should also be able to stand for five minutes without support and follow instructions. Participants can expect to join a 6-week exercise program and will be closely monitored to track their progress. It's important to note that individuals with certain medical conditions or those who have had multiple strokes may not qualify for this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Hemiparesis as a result of a stroke greater than 6 months previous to the study;
• • 2. A single cortical or subcortical stroke
• • 3. Able to walk 10 meters with or without a walking aid
• • 4. Able to stand unsupported for 5 minutes
• • 5. Sufficient cognitive function to follow instruction and communicate with the investigators.
• • 6. Reduced paretic limb loading more than 6% compared to the non-paretic limb during overground gait assessment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Medical condition precluding participant in regular exercise, such as acute cardiac or respiratory conditions limiting activity and other health conditions significantly impacting the ability to walk beyond the effects of the stroke, such as other neurological conditions or peripheral neuropathies;
• • 2. Bilateral stroke or a previous stroke in the contralateral hemisphere;
• • 3. Had a history of multiple strokes;
• • 4. Cerebellar stroke;
• • 5. Lower extremity joint replacement;
• • 6. Bone or joint problems that limited their ability to walk;
• • 7. A resting heart rate outside of the range of 40 to 100 beats per minute;
• • 8. A resting blood pressure outside of the range of 90/60 to 170/90 mm Hg;
• • 9. Neglect;
• • 10. Hemianopia;
• • 11. Unexplained dizziness during the past 6 months;
• • 12. Chest pain or shortness of breath without exertion;
• • 13. Pregnancy by self-report.