Split-Belt Gait Retraining in Subacute Stroke
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Split-belt walking training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Stroke. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Canada
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Physiotherapist-Led Split-Belt Treadmill Gait Retraining for Individuals With Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Although many individuals regain independent walking ability following stroke, nearly 50% experience persistent gait impairments characterized by asymmetrical walking patterns, slower walking speed, impaired balance, and increased fall risk. These persistent mobility limitations highlight the continued need for innovative rehabilitation strategies that improve gait function during stroke recovery. Split-belt treadmill walking (SBTW), in which each leg walks at a different belt speed, has demonstrated potential to improve step length symmetry in individuals with chronic stroke. However, the effects of SBTW during the subacute stage of stroke recovery, within the first 9 months post-stroke when neuroplasticity may be heightened, remain largely unknown. In addition, previous SBTW studies have not integrated active physiotherapist-led gait retraining into the intervention, despite physiotherapist-led gait rehabilitation representing standard clinical care following stroke. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare physiotherapist-led gait retraining using a traditional treadmill training protocol to physiotherapist-led gait retraining integrated with a split-belt treadmill training protocol during the first 9 months post-stroke. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of the use of split-belt treadmill training to augment physiotherapist-led gait retraining to improve between-leg gait symmetry and overground walking speed.
Interventions
- Behavioral Split-belt walking training
Participants randomized to the split-belt training group will complete 12 sessions of split-belt treadmill walking training over 4 weeks, delivered 3 times per week. Training will be performed on an instrumented split-belt treadmill and will include split-belt and tied-belt walking conditions. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each session.
Primary outcome measures
- Step length symmetry [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up]
- Self-selected gait speeds [Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- unilateral stroke resulting in hemiparesis
- less than 9 months post-stroke
- ability to walk ten metres with or without walking aids
- ability to stand without support for five minutes
- English speaking
Exclusion criteria
- medically unfit to participate e.g. cardiac or respiratory disease limiting ability to perform walking tasks
- neuromuscular impairment, other than stroke, limiting mobility, e.g. ankle sprain, joint disease such as severe arthritis
- cognitive/communication impairment impacting ability to follow instructions
- diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety disorders requiring medication
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Canada · 1 center
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre — Vancouver
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07601633 · H21-02171