Clinical trial NCT06850662: Backward Walking Observation Training in People With Stroke and Gait Quality in Stroke
Official title: The Effect of Backward Walking Observation Training on Improving Brain Activity and Gait Quality in People With Stroke
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Stroke
Keywords: Backward walking
Action observation training
Gait symmetry
Gait variability
Brain activity
Stroke
Lead sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-02-27
Enrollment: 50
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 80
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Walking impairment is one of the most common and concerning issues for individuals with stroke. Previous studies have often used improvements in walking speed and distance as reference indicators for gait performance progress in individuals with stroke. However, for people with chronic stroke, it may be more appropriate to prioritize improving gait symmetry and gait variability to enhance gait quality as a primary intervention goal. Additionally, stroke can lead to an imbalance in interhemispheric brain activity, which evolves as motor function recovers. According to the literature review, backward walking may extend the support time of the lower limbs, thereby enhancing the weight-bearing capacity of the affected limb. This, in turn, could promote gait symmetry and reduce gait variability. Changes in brain activity might also accompany such improvements in gait quality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the immediate, short-term and post carryover intervention effects of backward walking observation training on gait quality in individuals with chronic stroke as well as to explore its effects on interhemispheric activity balance in individuals with chronic stroke.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥ 6 months after the diagnosis of stroke
* Independent walking over at least 7m with or without a walking aid
* Mini-mental state examination score ≥ 24

Exclusion Criteria:

* Had difficulty in backward walking
* Any neuromuscular disorders history
* With visual or auditory disorders
* Unstable cardiac status or uncontrolled hypertension
* Any musculoskeletal disorders that would affect walking ability

Primary outcomes:
measure: Brain activity
timeFrame: Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
measure: Gait symmetry
timeFrame: Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
measure: Gait varability
timeFrame: Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Gait performance
timeFrame: Baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
measure: Time Up & Go test
timeFrame: Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
measure: Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale
timeFrame: Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
measure: Taiwan Chinese version Falls Efficacy Scale
timeFrame: Baseline, 4 weeks after training, and 4-week follow-up
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Taipei
country: Taiwan
facility: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Study officials:
References: