A treadmill and overground walking program improves walking in persons residing in the community after stroke: a placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a treadmill and overground walking program in reducing the disability and handicap associated with poor walking performance after stroke.


METHODS
Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a 3-month follow-up.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 29 ambulatory individuals (less 2 dropouts) who were living in the community after having suffered a stroke more than 6 months previously.


METHODS
The experimental group participated in a 30-minute treadmill and overground walking program, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The control group received a placebo consisting of a low-intensity, home exercise program and regular telephone contact.


METHODS
Walking speed (over 10 m), walking capacity (distance over 6 min), and handicap (stroke-adapted 30-item version of the Sickness Impact Profile) measured by a blinded assessor.


RESULTS
The 4-week treadmill and overground walking program significantly increased walking speed (P=.02) and walking capacity (P<.001), but did not decrease handicap (P=.85) compared with the placebo program. These gains were largely maintained 3 months after the cessation of training (P</=.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The treadmill and overground walking program was effective in improving walking in persons residing in the community after stroke. This suggests that the routine provision of accessible, long-term, community-based walking programs would be beneficial in reducing disability after stroke.
School of Physiotherapy, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. L.Ada@fhs.usyd.edu.au
Louise
L
Ada
Catherine M
CM
Dean
Jillian M
JM
Hall
Julie
J
Bampton
Sarah
S
Crompton
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015990:Placebo Effect; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*