Dataset Information

The development and feasibility of treadmill-induced fall recovery training applied to individuals with chronic stroke.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Exercise has failed to reduce falls in those with chronic stroke. A limitation of traditional exercise is that the motor responses needed to prevent a fall are not elicited (i.e. they lack processing specificity). Balance reactions often require compensatory steps. Therefore, interventions that target such steps have the potential to reduce falls. Computerized treadmills can deliver precise, repeatable, and challenging perturbations as part of a training protocol. The objective of this study was to develop and determine the feasibility of such training applied to those with chronic stroke. We developed the training to address specificity, appropriate duration and repetition, and progressive overloading and individualization. We hypothesized that our intervention would be acceptable, practical, safe, and demonstrate initial signs of efficacy. METHODS:In this single-arm study, thirteen individuals with chronic stroke (29-77?years old, 2-15?years post stroke) performed up to six training sessions using a computer-controlled treadmill. Each session had separate progressions focused on initial steps with the non-paretic or paretic limbs in response to anterior or posterior falls. Perturbation magnitudes were altered based on performance and tolerance. Acceptability was determined by adherence, or the number of sessions completed. Practicality was documented by the equipment, space, time, and personnel. Adverse events were documented to reflect safety. In order to determine the potential-efficacy of this training, we compared the proportion of successful recoveries and the highest perturbation magnitude achieved on the first and last sessions. RESULTS:The training was acceptable, as evident by 12/13 participants completing all 6 sessions. The protocol was practical, requiring one administrator, the treadmill, and a harness. The protocol was safe, as evident by no serious or unanticipated adverse events. The protocol demonstrated promising signs of efficacy. From the first to last sessions, participants had a higher proportion of successful recoveries and progressed to larger disturbances. CONCLUSIONS:Using a computerized treadmill, we developed an approach to fall-recovery training in individuals with chronic stroke that was specific, considered duration and repetition, and incorporated progressive overloading and individualization. We demonstrated that this training was acceptable, practical, safe, and potentially beneficial for high-functioning individuals with chronic stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT03638089 ) August 20, 2018.

SUBMITTER: Pigman J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6534930 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The development and feasibility of treadmill-induced fall recovery training applied to individuals with chronic stroke.

Pigman Jamie J Reisman Darcy S DS Pohlig Ryan T RT Wright Tamara R TR Crenshaw Jeremy R JR

BMC neurology 20190525 1

<h4>Background</h4>Exercise has failed to reduce falls in those with chronic stroke. A limitation of traditional exercise is that the motor responses needed to prevent a fall are not elicited (i.e. they lack processing specificity). Balance reactions often require compensatory steps. Therefore, interventions that target such steps have the potential to reduce falls. Computerized treadmills can deliver precise, repeatable, and challenging perturbations as part of a training protocol. The objectiv ...[more]

PMID: 31128598

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:For stroke survivors, balance deficits that persist after the completion of the rehabilitation process lead to a significant risk of falls. We have recently developed a balance-assessment robot (BAR-TM) that enables assessment of balancing abilities during walking. The purpose of this study was to test feasibility of using the BAR-TM in an experimental perturbed-balance training program with a selected high-functioning stroke survivor. METHODS:A control and an individual with right-side chronic hemiparesis post-stroke were studied. The individual post-stroke underwent thirty sessions of balance-perturbed training that involved walking on an instrumented treadmill while the BAR-TM delivered random pushes to the participant's pelvis; these pushes were in various directions, at various speeds, and had various perturbation amplitudes. We assessed kinematics, kinetics, electromyography, and spatio-temporal responses to outward-directed perturbations of amplitude 60 N (before training) and 60 N and 90 N (after training) commencing on contact of either the nonparetic-left foot (LL-NP/L perturbation) or the paretic-right foot (RR-P/R perturbation) while the treadmill was running at a speed of 0.4 m/s. RESULTS:Before training, the individual post-stroke primarily responded to LL-NP/L perturbations with an in-stance response on the non-paretic leg in a similar way to the control participant. After training, the individual post-stroke added adequate stepping by making a cross-step with the paretic leg that enabled successful rejection of the perturbation at lower and higher amplitudes. Before training, the individual post-stroke primarily responded to RR-P/R perturbations with fast cross-stepping using the left, non-paretic leg while in-stance response was entirely missing. After training, the stepping with the non-paretic leg was supplemented by partially recovered ability to exercise in-stance responses on the paretic leg and this enabled successful rejection of the perturbation at lower and higher amplitudes. The assessed kinematics, kinetics, electromyography, and spatio-temporal responses provided insight into the relative share of each balancing strategy that the selected individual post-stroke used to counteract LL-NP/L and RR-P/R perturbations before and after the training. CONCLUSIONS:The main finding of this case-control study is that robot-based perturbed-balance training may be a feasible approach. It resulted in an improvement the selected post-stroke participant's ability to counteract outward-directed perturbations. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03285919 - retrospectively registered.

Project description:BackgroundTreadmill training shows advantages in the specificity, amount, and intensity of gait and balance practice for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of challenging treadmill speed-dependent gait and perturbation-induced balance training in chronic stroke patients with low ambulation ability.MethodsFor this randomized controlled trial (Chinese Clinical Trials.gov registration number ChiCTR-IOR-16009536) with blinded testers, we recruited 33 ambulatory stroke participants with restricted community ambulation capacity and randomly assigned them into two groups: the experimental group with 2 week treadmill speed-dependent gait training combined with 2 week treadmill perturbation-induced balance training (EXP) or the control group with traditional gait and balance training (CON). Various variables were recorded during EXP training, including the rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, causes of pauses, treadmill speed, and perturbation intensity. Outcome measures were examined before training and at 2 and 4 weeks after training. They included gait velocity during five-meter walk test at comfortable and fast speed and reactive balance ability in the compensatory stepping test as primary outcome measures, as well as dynamic balance ability (timed up-and-go test and 5 times sit-to-stand test) and balance confidence as secondary outcome measures.ResultsAll participants completed the study. The treadmill speed and perturbation intensity significantly increased across training sessions in the EXP group, and no adverse effects occurred. The normal and fast gait velocities showed significant time and group interaction effects. They significantly increased after 2 and 4 weeks of training in the EXP group (p < 0.05) but not in the CON group (p > 0.05). Likewise, dynamic balance ability measured using the timed up-and-go test at a fast speed significantly improved after 2 and 4 weeks of training in the EXP group (p < 0.05) but not in the CON group (p > 0.05), although without a significant time and group interaction effect. Surprisingly, the reactive balance ability did not show improvement after treatment in the EXP group (p > 0.05).ConclusionChallenging treadmill speed-dependent gait and treadmill perturbation-induced balance training is feasible and effective to improve ambulation function in chronic stroke patients with low ambulation ability.

Project description:BackgroundFalls are more prevalent in stroke survivors than age-matched healthy older adults because of their functional impairment. Rapid balance recovery reaction with adequate range-of-motion and fast response and movement time are crucial to minimize fall risk and prevent serious injurious falls when postural disturbances occur. A Kinect-based Rapid Movement Training (RMT) program was developed to provide real-time feedback to promote faster and larger arm reaching and leg stepping distances toward targets in 22 different directions.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the interactive RMT and Conventional Balance Training (CBT) on chronic stroke survivors' overall balance and balance recovery reaction.MethodsIn this assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial, chronic stroke survivors were randomized to receive twenty training sessions (60-min each) of either RMT or CBT. Pre- and post-training assessments included clinical tests, as well as kinematic measurements and electromyography during simulated forward fall through a "lean-and-release" perturbation system.ResultsThirty participants were recruited (RMT = 16, CBT = 14). RMT led to significant improvement in balance control (Berg Balance Scale: pre = 49.13, post = 52.75; P = .001), gait control (Timed-Up-and-Go Test: pre = 14.66 s, post = 12.62 s; P = .011), and motor functions (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery: pre = 60.63, post = 65.19; P = .015), which matched the effectiveness of CBT. Both groups preferred to use their non-paretic leg to take the initial step to restore stability, and their stepping leg's rectus femoris reacted significantly faster post-training (P = .036).ConclusionThe RMT was as effective as conventional balance training to provide beneficial effects on chronic stroke survivors' overall balance, motor function and improving balance recovery with faster muscle response.Trial registrationThe study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03183635 , NCT03183635) on 12 June 2017.

Project description:Poststroke guidelines recommend moderate-intensity, continuous aerobic training (MCT) to improve aerobic capacity and mobility after stroke. High-intensity interval training (HIT) has been shown to be more effective than MCT among healthy adults and people with heart disease. However, HIT and MCT have not been compared previously among people with stroke.The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and justification for a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing HIT and MCT in people with chronic stroke.A preliminary RCT was conducted.The study was conducted in a cardiovascular stress laboratory and a rehabilitation research laboratory.Ambulatory people at least 6 months poststroke participated.Both groups trained 25 minutes, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. The HIT strategy involved 30-second bursts at maximum-tolerated treadmill speed alternated with 30- to 60-second rest periods. The MCT strategy involved continuous treadmill walking at 45% to 50% of heart rate reserve.Measurements included recruitment and attendance statistics, qualitative HIT acceptability, adverse events, and the following blinded outcome variables: peak oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, metabolic cost of gait, fractional utilization, fastest treadmill speed, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Six-Minute Walk Test.During the 8-month recruitment period, 26 participants consented to participate. Eighteen participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the HIT group (n=13) or the MCT group (n=5). Eleven out of the 13 HIT group participants attended all sessions. Participants reported that HIT was acceptable and no serious adverse events occurred. Standardized effect size estimates between groups were moderate to very large for most outcome measures. Only 30% of treadmill speed gains in the HIT group translated into overground gait speed improvement.The study was not designed to definitively test safety or efficacy.Although further protocol optimization is needed to improve overground translation of treadmill gains, a definitive RCT comparing HIT and MCT appears to be feasible and warranted.

Project description:Purpose: Exergame training may be beneficial for improving long-term outcome in stroke patients. Personalized training prescription applying progression rules, is missing. We adapted a theory-based taxonomy for a rehabilitation approach using user-centered exergames. The aims were primarily to investigate the feasibility of this rehabilitation approach, and secondarily to evaluate its performance of personalizing training progression, as well as explore the effects on secondary outcomes. Methods: Chronic stroke patients (≥ 18 years) were included, who were able to walk 10 meters and stand for 3 min. The rehabilitation approach was administered twice per week for 8 weeks. As primary outcome, feasibility was evaluated by comparing achieved rates of inclusion, adherence, compliance, attrition, motivation, and satisfaction to pre-defined thresholds for acceptance. Secondary outcomes were (1) perceived motor and cognitive task difficulty throughout the intervention; (2) measures collected during baseline and post-measurements-a gait analysis, the Timed-up-and-go test (TUG), several cognitive tests assessing attentional, executive, and visuospatial functions. Results: Thirteen patients [median: 68.0 (IQR: 49.5-73.5) years, median: 34.5 (IQR: 12.25-90.75) months post-stroke] were included, of whom ten completed the study. Rates for inclusion (57%), adherence (95%), compliance (99%), motivation (77%), and satisfaction (74%) were acceptable, however, the attrition rate was high (23%). The perceived motor and cognitive task difficulty predominantly moved below the targeted range. We found a significant change in the TUG (p = 0.05, r = 0.46) and medium-to-large effect sizes (p > 0.05) for swing time of the affected leg, the asymmetry index, time needed for the Trail-making test (TMT) A and accuracy for the TMT B and the Mental Rotation Test (MRT; 0.26 ≤ r ≤ 0.46). Discussion: The intervention was feasible with minor modifications necessary, which warrants a larger trial investigating the effects of the rehabilitation approach following the adapted taxonomy on mobility, gait and cognitive functions. Two main limitations of the rehabilitation approach were; (1) the taxonomy decoupled motor and cognitive progression, which may be improper as motor and cognitive learning is coupled; (2) separate subjective ratings were used to guide the progression. Future studies should develop an instrument to objectively assess motor-cognitive task difficulty for monitoring the progression of an exergame-based training.

Dataset Information

The development and feasibility of treadmill-induced fall recovery training applied to individuals with chronic stroke.

Publications

The development and feasibility of treadmill-induced fall recovery training applied to individuals with chronic stroke.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets