Trial Outcomes & Findings for Task-oriented Training for Stroke: Impact on Function Mobility (NCT NCT01322607)

Hemiparetic stroke survivors (\>6 months) with residual hemiparetic gait in women/men aged 30-85 years who completed all therapy were recruited. They had to have adequate language and neurocognitive function, give adequate informed consent, able to rise from a chair unaided, and able to walk 10 meters without human assistance.

Task-oriented Training for Stroke: Impact on Function Mobility

Over-ground gait economy measured using a portable metabolic monitoring system, K4b2 during a 6 minute walk, with subjects walking at their comfortable self-selected walking speed while open circuit spirometry collects break-by-break data. The K4b2 consists of a small battery pack and portable gas analyser (weighing less than 1 kg) that participants wear on their chest. Attached to the portable system is a flexible rubber facemask with flowmeter used for breath-by-breath analysis. The mean rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) will be calculated based on the final 3 minutes of a 6-minute walk under steady state oxygen consumption conditions. A 6 minute walk is a distance most representative of community-based ambulatory capacity and is a sensitive outcome measure in exercise studies in chronic stroke subjects. The higher the VO2 used during the 6 minute walk, represents a less efficient economy of gait.

Strength measured by torque of isokinetic maximal concentric knee extensor volitional contractions of paretic and non-paretic leg at multiple angular velocities (30, 90, and 120°/sec). The higher the number the higher the muscular strength. Also performed on resistance equipment for both the Leg Press and Leg Extension. The higher the number the stronger a person is.

Muscular endurance performed on Leg Press and assessed by a force transducer, while seated. The longer the amount of time participant can maintain a force the better their muscular endurance.

Dynamic Gait Index - another measure related to balance and general function. It includes items of walking while changing speed, turning the head, pivot turning, walking over and around obstacles, and stair climbing. This index ranges from 0 - 24, with 24 representing a high level of balance and general function (the higher the score the better the balance).