Effects of Power and High-Intensity Gait Training for Functional Mobility an Ambulation in Chronic Stroke

NCT07249658 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 02166 / Fatima Khan
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to determine the combined effect of power training and high-intensity gait training on functional mobility and locomotion following chronic stroke.

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

gait training; strength; power; functional mobility; ambulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST)

  The FTSST developed by Csuka and McCarty (1985) is a very reliable tool to measure sitting and standing performance as well as lower limb muscle strength and balance. It is a single-item test where the participant is required to rise from a chair and sit down five consecutive times as quickly as possible without using the arms. The score is recorded as the total time taken in seconds to complete the task.

  6 weeks

• Tmed Up and Go Test

  The Timed Up and Go (TUG) is a commonly used outcome measure that can assess activity limitations in the ICF model by examining the patient's ability to ambulate and perform transfers.

  6 weeks

• 10 meter Walk Test

  The 10-Meter Walk Test was developed as a simple, quick, and reliable measure of gait speed. It is a single-item test where the participant walks 10 meters, with timing recorded for the middle 6 meters to exclude acceleration and deceleration phases. It is widely used to assess functional mobility, walking ability, and community ambulation in populations such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, geriatrics, and rehabilitation patients.

  6 weeks

• Barthel index

  Assesses the level of independence in daily activities, such as feeding, bathing, and mobility, in individuals with physical disabilities. Literature showed strong criterion-related validity against the BI, with high reliability. This scoring system may become a convenient tool, allowing anyone to assess ADL.

  6 weeks

• Functional Gait Assessment

  Measures balance and gait under various challenging conditions to assess fall risk and overall gait stability. The Functional Gait Assessment is a reliable, valid tool. It is composed of 10 items, each scored 0-3 (0 = severe impairment, 3 = normal performance). Maximum score = 30. Lower scores indicate higher risk of falls; ≤22/30 is often used as a cutoff for increased fall risk.

  6 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Experimental: power training + high-intensity gait training

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will be given a combined program that comprises gait training and lower-limb power training, three times a week. The gait component will consist of overground walking at increased intensity and treadmill training whilst using a safety harness. At the initial stage, treadmill (1.5-2.0 mph) for a duration of 2 sets,3 minutes, and 10-minute overground moderate-intensity walking is offered with frequent rests. The intensity will be gradually increased throughout the program, with an increase in speeds on the treadmill to 2.0 mph (2.5 mph or 3.0 mph) (two sets of three minutes, then three sets of 3-4 minutes, and finally 5-10 minutes at moderate and high intensity) and overground walking (10-15 min to up to 20 min at high intensity).

Other: power training + high-intensity gait training

Control 1: power training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Individuals in the power training group will also train three times a week, including lower-limb resistance and functional strength work, applying a focus on explosive concentric effort. The exercise will consist of 3 sets (or 6 repetitions of stepping backward over a hurdle, warming up in sitting knee extension with resistance band, marching in a seat with a load on the ankle, transferring sit to stand, and hopping up on the box 46 inch). The number of sets will be increased as they are tolerated, beginning with 3 sets to 4 sets and ultimately up to 5 sets of each exercise as tolerated as the training progresses. The intensity will be progressed by raising the resistance ( box height) and performance speed.

Other: power training

Control 2: High-intensity gait training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will receive high-intensity gait training three days per week, taking into consideration both treadmill gait in a safety harness and overground gait. Initial training will start with a treadmill speed of 1.5 2.0 mph, two sets/3 minutes each, and 15 minutes overground walking at moderate intensity, and rest breaks when necessary. The progression will entail a gradual increase in the speeds on the treadmill to 2.0-2.5 mph (three sets of 3 minutes) and subsequently to 2.5 3.0 mph (three sets of 3 4 minutes) with the overground walking time extended to 15-20 mins and subsequently to 20 minutes at greater intensities.

Other: high-intensity gait training

Interventions

high-intensity gait training OTHER

The members of this group will receive high-intensity gait training three days per week, taking into consideration both treadmill gait in a safety harness and overground gait. Initial training will start with a treadmill speed of 1.5 2.0 mph, two sets/3 minutes each, and 15 minutes overground walking at moderate intensity, and rest breaks when necessary. The progression will entail a gradual increase in the speeds on the treadmill to 2.0-2.5 mph (three sets of 3 minutes) and subsequently to 2.5 3.0 mph (three sets of 3 4 minutes) with the overground walking time extended to 15-20 mins and subsequently to 20 minutes at greater intensities.

Control 2: High-intensity gait training

power training OTHER

Individuals in the power training group will also train three times a week, including lower-limb resistance and functional strength work, applying a focus on explosive concentric effort. The exercise will consist of 3 sets (or 6 repetitions of stepping backward over a hurdle, warming up in sitting knee extension with resistance band, marching in a seat with a load on the ankle, transferring sit to stand, and hopping up on the box 46 inch). The number of sets will be increased as they are tolerated, beginning with 3 sets to 4 sets and ultimately up to 5 sets of each exercise as tolerated as the training progresses. The intensity will be progressed by raising the resistance ( box height) and performance speed.

Control 1: power training

power training + high-intensity gait training OTHER

This group will be given a combined program that comprises gait training and lower-limb power training, which will take place three times a week. The gait component will consist of overground walking at increased intensity and treadmill training whilst using a safety harness. At the initial stage, treadmill (1.5-2.0 mph) for a duration of 2 sets,3 minutes, and 10-minute overground moderate-intensity walking is offered with frequent rests. The intensity will be gradually increased throughout the program, with an increase in speeds on the treadmill to 2.0 mph (2.5 mph or 3.0 mph) (two sets of three minutes, then three sets of 3-4 minutes, and finally 5-10 minutes at moderate and high intensity) and overground walking (10-15 min to up to 20 min at high intensity).

Experimental: power training + high-intensity gait training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• to 75 years of age
• more than ≥6 months of stroke onset
• first-ever unilateral ischemic stroke
• walking 10 meters independently with or without an assistive device
• being an independent ambulator (Functional Ambulation category \>3)

You may not qualify if:

• people with a history of mental/cognitive illness
• combination with peripheral neuropathy
• having resting blood pressure above 160/100 mmHg even after taking medications;
• hemorrhagic stroke
• cardiovascular comorbidity
• any musculoskeletal condition that prevents or limits the participants from doing resistance training

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, NIRM

Islamabad, Punjab Province, 44000, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Fatima Khan, MS-NMPT*

  Riphah International Unversity

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Arshad Nawaz Malik, PhD Rehab

  Riphah International Unversity

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 18, 2025
• First Posted: November 25, 2025
• Study Start: August 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 21, 2026
• Study Completion: February 21, 2026
• Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)