Dual-Task Exercise Improves Walking Ability in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Yang YR, Wang RY, Chen YC, Kao MJ. Dual-task exercise improves walking ability in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
Objective
To examine the effectiveness of a dual-task–based exercise program on walking ability in subjects with chronic stroke.
Design
Single-blind randomized controlled trial.
Setting
General community.
Participants
Twenty-five subjects with chronic stroke who were at least limited community ambulatory subjects (a minimum gait velocity, 58cm/s).
Interventions
Participants were randomized into a control group (n=12) or experimental group (n=13). Subjects in the control group did not receive any rehabilitation training. Subjects in the experimental group underwent a 4-week ball exercise program.
Main Outcome Measures
Gait performance was measured under single task (preferred walking) and tray-carrying task. Gait parameters of interest were walking speed, cadence, stride time, stride length, and temporal symmetry index.
Results
The experimental group showed significant improvement in all selected gait measures except for temporal symmetry index under both task conditions. In the control group, there were no significant changes over the 4-week period for all selected measures. There was a significant difference between groups for all selected gait variables except for temporal symmetry index under both task conditions.
Conclusions
The dual-task–based exercise program is feasible and beneficial for improving walking ability in subjects with chronic stroke.
aFaculty & Institute of Physical Therapy, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
bSection of Physical Therapy, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
cDepartment of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
dDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
eDivision of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Reprint requests to Yea-Ru Yang, PT, PhD, Faculty & Institute of Physical Therapy, National Yang-Ming University, 155, Sec 2, Li-Nong St., Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan
Supported in part by the Department of Health, Taipei City Government (grant no. 95002-62-088) and the National Health Research Institutes of the Republic of China (grant no. NHRI-EX95-9413EI).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
ABSTRACT