The purpose of this study is to determine whether FAST (Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training) exercises will improve walking balance in individuals after stroke to a greater extent than usual care. Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis is that improvements in walking balance will be larger following 12 sessions of FAST exercise retraining compared to usual care in persons in the sub-acute phase after stroke.
It is estimated that 75-80% of individuals who have had a stroke will survive the acute event and be left with residual disability. Regaining independence in standing and walking is of utmost importance for patients recovering from stroke. Walking balance requires muscles in the legs and trunk to contract quickly if people lose their balance. Physical therapy plays a key role in the rehabilitation of walking balance in individuals after stroke. Given that maintaining one's balance requires fast muscle activity, rehabilitation post-stroke should focus on speed of movement. Thus we are proposing to compare a program that emphasizes speed of movement, Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training versus an active control (usual care).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
55
The Usual Care program will consist of 2 sessions a week for 45 minutes for a 6 week duration.
The Fast muscle activation and Stepping Training (FAST protocol) will be exercises emphasizing speed, small squats and protective steps, that will be progressed. This program will be 2 sessions a week for 45 minutes for 6 weeks in duration.
Lions Gate Hospital
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Holy Family Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Community Balance and Mobility Scale
Time frame: Pre treatment and Post treatment (6 weeks)
Gait assessment
Self selected speed and changes in electromyography
Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
Physiological balance assessment by internal and external perturbations
Electromyography and Center of pressure changes
Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale
Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
Community Balance and Mobility Scale
Time frame: Post treatment and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
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