Impact of Hip Flexors Isokinetic Strengthening on Gait Capacities in Subacute Stroke Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Post-stroke patients often present with gait disorders due to several physical impairments. Hip flexor deficit is one of the more prevalent trouble and is associated with gait capacities. This study aims at evaluating the impact of an isokinetic hip flexors strengthening rehabilitation program in the subacute phase after stroke. Patients will be randomized to an intervention group (isokinetic rehabilitation) or a control group (conventional rehabilitation) and assessed at the end of the rehabilitation program, at 3 and at 6 months.

Official Title
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Impact of Hip Flexors Isokinetic Strengthening on Gait Capacities in Subacute Stroke Patients

Conditions
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Stroke, Hemiplegia, Gait

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Isokinetic hip flexors strengthening
* Procedure: Conventional rehabilitation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients suffering from a first ever stroke At the subacute phase Able to walk at least 10m with or without assistive devices Hip flexors strength on the paretic side > 2/5 (MRC) Exclusion Criteria: Uncontrolled epilepsy Contraindications to physical activity (severe arterial hypertension, aortic valvulopathy, severe PAD...) History of muscular or joint disorders on the paretic hip Subject unable to deliver an informed written consent (due to aphasia, cognitive or psychiatric disorders...) Protected persons Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Isokinetic<br>Patients who benefit from the hip flexors isokinetic strengthening rehabilitation program | Procedure: Isokinetic hip flexors strengthening<br>* Isokinetic excentric strengthening of paretic hip flexors, 3/w during 6 weeks, in addition to conventional rehabilitation 7/w.<br>Procedure: Conventional rehabilitation<br>* Conventional rehabilitation 10/w during 6 weeks<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control<br>Patients who benefit from a conventional rehabilitation program | Procedure: Conventional rehabilitation<br>* Conventional rehabilitation 10/w during 6 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Max gait speed (m/s) | Gait speed will be assessed in the 10m walk test | 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Max gait speed (m/s) | Gait speed will be assessed in the 10m walk test | 3 and 6 months | 
| Hip flexors strength | Hip flexors strength will be evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (concentric, 30°/s) and motor testing (medical research council) | 6weeks; 3 and 6 months | 
| Gait endurance | Gait endurance will be assessed using the 6MWT | 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months | 
| Gait capacities | Functional ambulation categories (FAC) | 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months | 
| Balance and postural control | Postural Assessment for Stroke Scale (PASS) | 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months | 
| Balance and postural control | Timed-up and go test | 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months | 
| Rate of perceived exhaustion during gait | Borg scale | 6 weeks; 3 and 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stroke, gait, hip flexors, paresis, hemiplegia