title: Effectiveness of a structured circuit class therapy model in stroke rehabilitation: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, the key advocacy in neuroscientific studies for stroke rehabilitation is that therapy should be directed towards task specificity performed with multiple repetitions. Circuit Class Therapy (CCT) is well suited to accomplish multiple task-specific activities. However, while repetitive task practice is achievable with circuit class therapy, in stroke survivors repetitive activities may be affected by poor neurologic inputs to motor units, resulting in decreases in discharging rates which consequently may reduce the efficiency of muscular contraction. To accomplish multiple repetitions, stroke survivors may require augmented duration of practice. To date, no study has examined the effect of augmented duration of CCT in stroke rehabilitation, and specifically what duration of CCT is more effective in influencing functional capacity among stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment, this study is aimed at determining the effectiveness of structured augmented CCT in stroke rehabilitation. Sixty-eight stroke survivors (to be recruited from a tertiary health institution in Kano, Northwest, Nigeria) will be randomised into one of four groups: three intervention groups of differing CCT durations namely: 60 min, 90 min, and 120 minuntes respectively, and a control group. Participants will take part in an 8-week structured intensive CCT intervention. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up for the effectiveness of the varied durations of therapy, using standardised tools. Based on the WHO-ICF model, the outcomes are body structure/function, activity limitation, and participation restriction measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is expected that the outcome of this study will clarify whether increasing CCT duration leads to better recovery of motor function in stroke survivors.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR): PACTR201311000701191.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa. isalawal30@yahoo.com.|Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Private Mail Bag 3011, Nigeria. isalawal30@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Isa U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Allied Health Evidence, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia (City East), Adelaide, 5000, Australia. Susan.Hillier@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine University of Ibadan, Queen Elizabeth Road, Private Mail Bag 5017, GPO Dugbe, Ibadan, Nigeria. talkzat@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Talhatu K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hamzat
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa. arhoda@uwc.ac.za.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rhoda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult