Dual-Task Exercise Improves Walking Ability in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 88; no. 10; pp. 1236 - 1240
• Main Authors: Yang, Yea-Ru, PT, PhD, Wang, Ray-Yau, PT, PhD, Chen, Yu-Chung, PT, MS, Kao, Mu-Jung, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cerebrovascular accident; Chronic Disease; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Gait; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Neurology; Paresis - rehabilitation; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Rehabilitation; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Walking; Cerebrovascular accident; Walking; Exercise; Rehabilitation; Ball; Performance evaluation; Physical exercise; Human; Speed; Nervous system diseases; Stroke; Prognosis; Cardiovascular disease; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Interest; Chronic; Reeducation; Central nervous system disease; Ambulatory; Cerebrovascular disease; Symmetry
• ISSN: 0003-9993; 1532-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.06.762

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.