Impact of gait training on a treadmill with movable handrails on gait quality compared to conventional treadmill training with fixed handrails in individuals with chronic stroke - A pilot study
Summary description of the study
The aim of the study is to compare the effect of gait training on gait quality in individuals who had a stroke more than six months ago. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group will undergo 12 sessions of 30 minutes of gait training on a treadmill with movable handrails that allow arm movement similar to normal walking. Participants in the control group will undergo the same program on a conventional treadmill, where they hold onto fixed handrails with both hands. Additionally, there will be a comparison group of healthy participants who will not undergo any training. Gait quality will be analyzed once using video analysis. Before and after the training, the gait quality (symmetry of trunk, arm swing, and left-right steps) of participants in the intervention and control groups will be evaluated using a three-dimensional motion analysis. The gait quality after training will be compared between the groups and analyzed against the gait quality of the healthy comparison group. Additionally, participants will be asked to complete the Walk-12 questionnaire before and after training, which assesses walking limitations in daily life through 12 questions. The recruitment of participants will also be documented, including whether participants can complete the training as planned and the feasibility of the training (frequency, duration, and intensity).
(BASEC)
Intervention under investigation
Participants in the intervention group will undergo 12 sessions of 30 minutes of gait training on a treadmill with movable handrails, allowing arm movement during walking. Participants in the control group will undergo the same program, but on a treadmill with fixed handrails. The sessions will take place over 4-8 weeks and will be supervised by an experienced physiotherapist. During training, intensity will be regularly assessed and adjusted using a scale; participants can pause at any time during the training session.
(BASEC)
Disease under investigation
Chronic stroke
(BASEC)
- chronic stroke (more than 6 months ago) with subjectively perceived gait disturbance - able to walk independently with or without aids for at least 5 minutes without a break - able to hold onto the handrails with or without support (e.g., bandage) Healthy comparison group: - Age over 18 years - No gait disturbances (BASEC)
Exclusion criteria
- other medical problems affecting walking (e.g., recently undergone surgeries) - recently started new therapies/sports (within the last 4 weeks) - cognitive deficits preventing the ability to provide informed consent (BASEC)
Trial sites
Bern
(BASEC)
Sponsor
Heiner Baur
(BASEC)
Contact
Contact Person Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Heiner Baur
+41 31 848 4515
heiner.baur@clutterbfh.chBerner Fachhochschule, Gesundheit, Physiotherapie Murtenstrasse 10 3008 Bern
(BASEC)
Scientific Information
not available
Name of the authorising ethics committee (for multicentre studies, only the lead committee)
Ethics Committee Bern
(BASEC)
Date of authorisation
11.11.2025
(BASEC)
ICTRP Trial ID
not available
Official title (approved by ethics committee)
Effect of gait training on a treadmill with sliding handrails on overground walking quality compared to conventional treadmill training in persons with chronic stroke – A pilot study (BASEC)
Academic title
not available
Public title
not available
Disease under investigation
not available
Intervention under investigation
not available
Type of trial
not available
Trial design
not available
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
not available
not available
Primary and secondary end points
not available
not available
Registration date
not available
Incorporation of the first participant
not available
Secondary sponsors
not available
Additional contacts
not available
Secondary trial IDs
not available
Results-Individual Participant Data (IPD)
not available
Further information on the trial
not available
Results of the trial
Results summary
not available
Link to the results in the primary register
not available