Nonsignificant summary effect sizes in favor of task-oriented circuit class training were found for the step test and balance control .
This meta- analysis supports the use of task-oriented circuit class training to improve gait and gait-related activities in patients with chronic stroke .
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is increasing interest in the potential benefits of circuit class training after stroke , but its effectiveness is uncertain .
Our aim was to systematic ally review r and omized , controlled trials of task-oriented circuit class training on gait and gait-related activities in patients with stroke .
Effects of Task-Specific Locomotor and Strength Training in Adults Who Were Ambulatory After Stroke: Results of the STEPS Randomized Clinical Trial
Background and Purpose : A phase II , single-blinded , r and omized clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of combined task-specific and lower-extremity ( LE ) strength training to improve walking ability after stroke . Subjects : The participants were 80 adults who were ambulatory 4 months to 5 years after a unilateral stroke . Method : The exercise interventions consisted of body-weight – supported treadmill training ( BWSTT ) , limb-loaded resistive leg cycling ( CYCLE ) , LE muscle-specific progressive-resistive exercise ( LE-EX ) , and upper-extremity ergometry ( UE-EX ) . After baseline assessment s , participants were r and omly assigned to a combined exercise program that included an exercise pair . The exercise pairs were : BWSTT/UE-EX , CYCLE/UE-EX , BWSTT/CYCLE , and BWSTT/LE-EX . Exercise sessions were 4 times per week for 6 weeks ( total of 24 sessions ) , with exercise type completed on alternate days . Outcomes were self-selected walking speed , fast walking speed , and 6-minute walk distance measured before and after intervention and at a 6-month follow-up . Results : The BWSTT/UE-EX group had significantly greater walking speed increases compared with the CYCLE/UE-EX group ; both groups improved in distance walked . All BWSTT groups increased walking speed and distance whether BWSTT was combined with LE strength training or not . Discussion and Conclusion : After chronic stroke , task-specific training during treadmill walking with body-weight support is more effective in improving walking speed and maintaining these gains at 6 months than resisted leg cycling alone . Consistent with the overtraining literature , LE strength training alternated daily with BWSTT walking did not provide an added benefit to walking outcomes
Nonsignificant summary effect sizes in favor of task-oriented circuit class training were found for the step test and balance control .
This meta- analysis supports the use of task-oriented circuit class training to improve gait and gait-related activities in patients with chronic stroke .
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is increasing interest in the potential benefits of circuit class training after stroke , but its effectiveness is uncertain .
Our aim was to systematic ally review r and omized , controlled trials of task-oriented circuit class training on gait and gait-related activities in patients with stroke .