Background: A discrepancy between strength gain and gait changes following various training programs aimed at improving gait function after stroke has been noted. A mismatch between the training program and gait parameters could explain this finding. Objective: To evaluate the impact of an isokinetic-strengthening program, matching the requirements of the affected lower-limb muscle groups involved in the energy generation of gait, to a control intervention, on gait performance and muscle strength. Hypothesis: The isokinetic training program of the affected lower-limb muscles would produce greater changes in gait performance and strength than a control intervention not aiming at training these muscle groups. Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants: A convenient sample of 30 individuals with chronic hemiparesis. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups (n=15), each training three times/week for six weeks. The experimental group trained the affected plantarflexors, hip flexors and extensors concentrically, while the control group trained the affected upper-limb muscles. Main outcome measures: Baseline values and post-training values, taken at the end of the training program, of maximal voluntary concentric strength, gait speed and peak positive power.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
concentric training of the affected plantarflexors, hip flexors and hip extensors
concentric training of the affected wrist extensors, elbow flexors and shoulder flexors
Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
change in gait speed
change in gait speed, in meter/second, was assessed as the difference between the baseline and week #7 values.
Time frame: gait speed was assessed at baseline and at the completion of the 6-week training (i.e. week #7)
change in peak positive power
peak positive power was evaluated at the affected plantarflexors, hip flexors and hip extensors. Also, change in peak positive power, in weight/kilogram, was assessed as the difference between the baseline and week #7 values.
Time frame: peak positive power was assessed at baseline and at the completion of the 6-week training (i.e. week #7)
change in maximal voluntary concentric strength
maximal voluntary concentric strength was evaluated at the affected plantarflexors, hip flexors and hip extensors. Also, change in maximal voluntary concentric strength, in Newton-metre, was assessed as the difference between the baseline and week #7 values.
Time frame: maximal voluntary concentric strength was assessed at baseline and at the completion of the 6-week training (i.e. week #7)
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