Feasibility and effectiveness of repetitive gait training early after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pre-clinical evidence suggests a period early after stroke during which the brain is most receptive to rehabilitation, if it is provided as high-dose motor training.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of repetitive gait training within the first 3 months post-stroke and the effects on gait-specific outcomes.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Rehab Data and PEDro databases were searched systematically. Randomized controlled trials were included to descriptively analyse the feasibility and quantitatively investigate the effectiveness of repetitive gait training compared with conventional therapy.
RESULTS: Fifteen randomized controlled trials were included. Repetitive training can safely be provided through body weight support and locomotor assistance from therapists or a robotic device. No difference in drop-out rates was reported despite the demanding nature of the intervention. The meta-analysis yielded significant, but small, effects on walking independence and endurance. Training with end-effector robots appears most effective.
CONCLUSION: Robots enable a substantial, yet feasible, increase in the quantity of walking practice early post-stroke, which might enhance functional recovery. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Preliminary Toxicity Analysis of 3DCRT versus IMRT on the High Dose Arm of the RTOG 0126 Prostate Cancer Trial
- Adaptive Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Initial Clinical Outcomes from a Prospective Trial
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 263: Standardizing Nomenclatures in Radiation Oncology
- Motion Management Strategies and Technical Issues Associated with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy of Thoracic and Upper Abdominal Tumors: A Review from NRG Oncology
- High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy as a monotherapy for localized prostate cancer: treatment description and preliminary results of a phase I/II clinical trial
- Highly efficient training, refinement, and validation of a knowledge-based plan quality control system for radiotherapy clinical trials
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.