title: Efficacy of Task-Specific Training on Physical Activity Levels of People With Stroke: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of people after stroke demonstrate mobility limitations, which may reduce their physical activity levels. Task-specific training has been shown to be an effective intervention to improve mobility in individuals with stroke, however, little is known about the impact of this intervention on levels of physical activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main objective is to investigate the efficacy of task-specific training, focused on both upper and lower limbs, in improving physical activity levels and mobility in individuals with stroke. The secondary objective is to investigate the effects of the training on muscle strength, exercise capacity, and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting is public health centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-dwelling people with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants will be randomized to either an experimental or control group, who will receive group interventions 3 times per week over 12 weeks. The experimental group will undertake task-specific training, while the control group will undertake global stretching, memory exercises, and health education sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcomes include measures of physical activity levels and mobility, whereas secondary outcomes are muscle strength, exercise capacity, and quality of life. The outcomes will be measured at baseline, postintervention, and at the 4- and 12-week follow-ups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this trial have the potential to provide important insights regarding the effects of task-specific training, focused on both upper and lower limbs, in preventing secondary poststroke complications and improving the participants' general health through changes in physical activity levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Júlia Caetano
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa Tavares
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation, Institut de Réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal, Université de Montreal, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Alvim
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Scianni
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luci Fuscaldi
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Salmela
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627-Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Christina Danielli Coelho De Morais
authors.initials: CDCM
authors.lastname: Faria
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001938:Brazil; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology