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 .
Repetitive locomotor training and physiotherapy improve walking and basic activities of daily living after stroke: a single-blind, randomized multicentre trial (DEutsche GAngtrainerStudie, DEGAS)
Objective : To evaluate the effect of repetitive locomotor training on an electromechanical gait trainer plus physiotherapy in subacute stroke patients . Design : R and omized controlled trial . Setting : Four German neurological rehabilitation centres . Subjects : One hundred and fifty-five non-ambulatory patients ( first-time stroke < 60 days ) . Intervention : Group A received 20 min locomotor training and 25 min physiotherapy ; group B had 45 min physiotherapy every week day for four weeks . Main outcome measures : Primary variables were gait ability ( Functional Ambulation Category , 0 - 5 ) and the Barthel Index ( 0 - 100 ) , blindly assessed at study onset , end , and six months later for follow-up . Responders to the therapy had to become ambulatory ( Functional Ambulation Category 4 or 5 ) or reach a Barthel Index of ≥ 75 . Secondary variables were walking velocity , endurance , mobility and leg power . Results : The intention-to-treat analysis revealed that significantly greater number of patients in group A could walk independently : 41 of 77 versus 17 of 78 in group B ( P B < 0.0001 ) at treatment end . Also , significantly more group A patients had reached a Barthel Index ≥ 75 : 44 of 77 versus 21 of 78 ( P B < 0.0001 ) . At six-month follow-up , the superior gait ability in group A persisted ( 54 of 77 versus 28 of 78 , P B < 0.0001 ) , while the Barthel Index responder rate did not differ . For all secondary variables , group A patients had improved significantly more ( P B < 0.0001 ) during the treatment period , but not during follow-up . Conclusions : Intensive locomotor training plus physiotherapy result ed in a significantly better gait ability and daily living competence in subacute stroke patients  compared with physiotherapy alone
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 .