title: Task-oriented circuit class training program with motor imagery for gait rehabilitation in poststroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ability to walk is impaired in more than 80% of poststroke patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the task-oriented circuit class training (TOCCT) with motor imagery (MI) on the gait during the subacute phase after a stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial in a neurology department of a university hospital. A convenience sample of 30 people, 4 to 12 weeks (mean, 6.3 weeks) after the stroke was randomized into 2 groups (the TOCCT with MI and standard training group) of 15 people each. Twenty-nine participants completed the 6-week follow-up. Participants were assigned to receive either the TOCCT with MI or dose-matched standard training program based on the Bobath's neurodevelopmental technique, 7 days a week for 2 weeks, as outpatients or inpatients. Outcome measures were the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC), the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (RVGA), step length asymmetry, walking speed, and 6-minute walk test (6MWT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TOCCT with MI group showed a positive improvement in the mean/median scores on most of the outcome measures at post and follow-up assessments in comparison to the control group. However, statistically significant differences were observed in changes between the groups at post and follow-up assessment for FAC, RVGA, walking speed, and 6MWT (ANOVA, P = .001 to .049; Mann-Whitney U test, P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the patients who had a stroke within the previous 4 to 12 weeks, the TOCCT with MI produced statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in the gait and the gait-related activities.
authors: Department of Neurology, CSM Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Verma
authors: Kamal Narayan
authors: KN
authors: Arya
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Garg
authors: Tejbir
authors: T
authors: Singh
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018401:Sample Size; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology