Enhancing Physical Therapy Best Practice for Improving Walking After Stroke

Last updated: May 15, 2025
Sponsor: University of British Columbia
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Stroke

Occlusions

Cerebral Ischemia

Treatment

Enhancing Physical Therapy Usual Care

Physical Therapy Usual Care

Clinical Study ID

NCT04238260
H19-02809
  • Ages > 19
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of implementing best practices into current stroke rehabilitation physical therapy on walking outcomes. Participants will also be provided an activity monitor to help them track and target their walking practice to determine if this can improve walking ability.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Admitted by inpatient or day stroke rehabilitation

  • Improved walking is a rehabilitation goal

  • Within 12 weeks post hemorrhagic or ischemic CVA with hemiparesis (confirmed bymedical chart or motor assessment)

  • Able to ambulate at least 5 steps. May use assistive and/or orthotic device andmaximum one person assist

  • Overground walking speed slower than normal

  • Able to understand and follow directions

  • Greater than or equal to 19 years of age

  • Medically stable

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pre-stroke health included a serious gait disorder or disease that affectedambulation (musculoskeletal conditions, amputation, surgery/arthroplasty in the last 6 months, etc.)

  • Pre-stroke health included a neurological condition (such as Parkinson's disease orMultiple Sclerosis) or other serious medical condition (active cancer, uncontrolleddiabetes)

  • Excessive pain in the body/joint preventing participation in an exerciseintervention

  • Participating in an experimental drug field study

  • Participating in another formal exercise rehabilitation clinical trial

  • Expected to receive <2 weeks daily in-/out- patient rehabilitation

Study Design

Total Participants: 306
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Enhancing Physical Therapy Usual Care
Phase:
Study Start date:
April 25, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
April 30, 2025

Study Description

This multi-site study will have each site start in usual care with participants consented to collecting outcome measures. The twelve inpatient stroke units include: Kelowna General Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Joseph Brant Hospital, Bruyère Hospital, Freeport Grand River Hospital, CIUSSS-de-l'Estrie-CHUS Centre de réadaptation de l'Estrie, Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Each site will randomly switch over to Enhanced Usual Care (best practice implementation) where all physical therapists at the site will be educated on delivery of best practice for locomotor retraining. The specific therapy activities are at the discretion of the physical therapist; however, physical therapists must work towards thirty minutes of weight-bearing/stepping activity at greater than forty percent heart rate reserve. Participants will continue to be consented to collecting outcome measures. Additionally, participants will be given and trained to use activity watches to monitor their own progress.

Connect with a study center

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z2G9
    Canada

    Site Not Available

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