Task-related circuit training improves performance of locomotor tasks in chronic stroke: a randomized, controlled pilot trial. Feasibility and Effectiveness of Circuit Training in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Clinical application of circuit training for subacute stroke patients: a preliminary study Effects of individualized versus group task-oriented circuit training on balance ability and gait endurance in chronic stroke inpatients Circuit class therapy versus individual physiotherapy sessions during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a controlled trial. Effects of circuit training as alternative to usual physiotherapy after stroke: randomised controlled trial Cost-effectiveness of a structured progressive task-oriented circuit class training programme to enhance walking competency after stroke: The protocol of the FIT-Stroke trial Circuit Class Therapy or Seven-Day Week Therapy for Increasing Rehabilitation Intensity of Therapy after Stroke (CIRCIT): A Randomized Controlled Trial A Randomized Controlled Trial of Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation in Chronic Stroke Subjects Circuit Class or Seven-Day Therapy for Increasing Intensity of Rehabilitation after Stroke: Protocol of the CIRCIT Trial Circuit training in community-living "younger" men after stroke. Rhythmic facilitation of gait training in hemiparetic stroke rehabilitation Task-related training improves performance of seated reaching tasks after stroke. A randomized controlled trial. Task-Oriented Circuit Class Training Program with Motor Imagery for Gait Rehabilitation in Poststroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Effectiveness of a structured circuit class therapy model in stroke rehabilitation: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial Physical fitness training in Subacute Stroke (PHYS-STROKE) - study protocol for a randomised controlled trial Effect of the a circuit training program using obstacles on the walking and balance abilities of stroke patients
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immediate and retention effects of a 4-week training program on the performance of locomotor-related tasks in chronic stroke . DESIGN R and omized , controlled pilot study with 2-month follow-up . SETTING Rehabilitation center . SUBJECTS A convenience sample consisting of 12 chronic stroke subjects was used . Subjects were r and omly assigned to the experimental or the control group . Three subjects withdrew from the study . INTERVENTION Both experimental and control groups participated in exercise classes three times a week for 4 weeks . The exercise class for the experimental group focused on strengthening the affected lower limb and practicing functional tasks involving the lower limbs , while the control group practice d upper-limb tasks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Lower-limb function was evaluated by measuring walking speed and endurance , peak vertical ground reaction force through the affected foot during sit-to-st and , and the step test . RESULTS The experimental group demonstrated significant immediate and retained ( 2-month follow-up ) improvement ( p < or = .05 ) compared with the control group in walking speed and endurance , force production through the affected leg during sit-to-st and , and the number of repetitions of the step test . CONCLUSION The pilot study provides evidence for the efficacy of a task-related circuit class at improving locomotor function in chronic stroke Background : Task-specificity , repetition and progression are key variables in the acquisition of motor skill however they have not been consistently implemented in post-stroke rehabilitation . Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of a stroke rehabilitation plan of care that incorporated task-specific practice , repetition and progression to facilitate functional gain compared to st and ard physical therapy for individuals admitted to an inpatient stroke unit . Methods : Individuals participated in either a circuit training ( CTPT ) model ( n = 72 ) or a st and ard ( SPT ) model ( n = 108 ) of physical therapy , 5 days/week . Each 60 minute circuit training session , delivered according to severity level , consisted of four functional mobility tasks . Daily exercise logs documented both task repetition and progression . Results : The CTPT model was successfully implemented in an acute rehabilitation setting . The CTPT group showed a significantly greater improved change in gait speed from hospital admission to discharge than the SPT group ( 0.21± 0.25 m/sec vs. 0.13± 0.22 m/sec ; p = 0.03 ) . The difference between groups occurred primarily among those who were ambulatory upon admission . There were no significant differences between the two cohorts at 90 days post-stroke as measured by the FONE-FIM , SF-36 and living location . Conclusions : Therapy focused on systematic ally progressed functional tasks can be successfully implemented in an inpatient rehabilitation stroke program . This circuit-training model result ed in greater gains in gait velocity over the course of inpatient rehabilitation compared to the st and ard model of care . Community-based services following hospital discharge to maintain these gains should be included in the continuum of post-stroke care [ Purpose ] To investigate how task-oriented circuit training for the recovery motor control of the lower-extremity , balance and walking endurance could be clinical ly applied to subacute stroke inpatient group therapy . [ Subjects and Methods ] Twenty subacute stroke patients were r and omly assigned to the intervention group ( n=10 ) or the control group ( n=10 ) . The intervention consisted of a structured , progressive , inpatient circuit training program focused on mobility and gait training as well as physical fitness training that was performed for 90 minutes , 5 days a week for 4 weeks . The control group received individual physiotherapy of neurodevelopmental treatment for 60 minutes , 5 days a week for 4 weeks . Outcome measures were lower-extremity motor control , balance , gait endurance and activities of daily living before and after 4 weeks . [ Results ] There were no significant differences at baseline between the two groups . After 4 weeks , both groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures , but there were no significant differences between the two groups during the invention period . [ Conclusion ] In spite of the small sample size , these findings suggest that task-oriented circuit training might be used as a cost-effective and alternative method of individual physiotherapy for the motor recovery of lower-extremity , balance and walking endurance of subacute stroke patients [ Purpose ] The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of task-oriented circuit training on the balance ability and gait endurance of chronic stroke in patients . [ Subjects and Methods ] The participants were 30 patients who had stroke > 6 months previously , result ing in a disability such as hemiparesis . The participants were r and omly divided into the group task-oriented circuit training group and the individual task-oriented circuit-training group . They performed eight types of modified task-oriented training .  Balance ability and gait endurance were measured by using the Berg balance scale question naire and the 6-min walk test , respectively , before and after the experiment . [ Results ] Significant differences were observed between before and after the intervention in all variables . There was a significant difference between groups in Berg balance scale scores ; however , no significant differences were seen in the timed up and go test and the 6-min walk test . [ Conclusion ] The results of this study indicated that group exercise can better improve the balance ability of chronic stroke in patients after stroke than can individualized exercise intervention OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of circuit class therapy and individual physiotherapy ( PT ) sessions in improving walking ability and functional balance for people recovering from stroke . DESIGN Nonr and omized , single-blind controlled trial . SETTING Medical rehabilitation ward of a rehabilitation hospital . PARTICIPANTS Sixty-eight persons receiving inpatient rehabilitation after a stroke . INTERVENTIONS Subjects received group circuit class therapy or individual treatment sessions as the sole method of PT service delivery for the duration of their inpatient stay . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Five-meter walk test ( 5MWT ) , two-minute walk test ( 2MWT ) , and the Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) measured 4 weeks after admission . Secondary outcome measures included the Iowa Level of Assistance Scale , Motor Assessment Scale upper-limb items , and patient satisfaction . Measures were taken on admission and 4 weeks later . RESULTS Subjects in both groups showed significant improvements between admission and week 4 in all primary outcome measures . There were no significant between group differences in the primary outcome measures at week 4 ( 5MWT mean difference , .07 m/s ; 2MWT mean difference , 1.8 m ; BBS mean difference , 3.9 points ) . A significantly higher proportion of subjects in the circuit class therapy group were able to walk independently at discharge ( P=.01 ) and were satisfied with the amount of therapy received ( P=.007 ) . CONCLUSIONS Circuit class therapy appeared as effective as individual PT sessions for this sample of subjects receiving inpatient rehabilitation poststroke . Favorable results for circuit classes in terms of increased walking independence and patient satisfaction suggest this model of service delivery warrants further investigation Objective To analyse the effect of task oriented circuit training compared with usual physiotherapy in terms of self reported walking competency for patients with stroke discharged from a rehabilitation centre to their own home . Design R and omised controlled trial with follow-up to 24 weeks . Setting Multicentre trial in nine outpatient rehabilitation centres in the Netherl and s Participants Patients with stroke who were able to walk a minimum of 10 m without physical assistance and were discharged from inpatient rehabilitation to an outpatient rehabilitation clinic . Patients were r and omly allocated to circuit training or usual physiotherapy , after stratification by rehabilitation centre , with an online r and omisation procedure . Intervention Patients in the intervention group received circuit training in 90 minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks . The training included eight different workstations in a gym and was intended to improve performance in tasks relating to walking competency . The control group received usual outpatient physiotherapy . Main outcome measures The primary outcome was the mobility domain of the stroke impact scale ( SIS , version 3.0 ) . Secondary outcomes were st and ing balance , self reported abilities , gait speed , walking distance , stair climbing , instrumental activities of daily living , fatigue , anxiety , and depression . Differences between groups were analysed according to the intention to treat principle . All outcomes were assessed by blinded observers in a repeated measurement design lasting 24 weeks . Results 126 patients were included in the circuit training group and 124 in the usual care group ( control ) , with data from 125 and 117 , respectively , available for analysis . One patient from the circuit training  group and seven from the control group dropped out . Circuit training was a safe intervention , and no serious adverse events were reported . There were no significant differences between groups for the stroke impact scale mobility domain ( β=0.05 ( SE 0.68 ) , P=0.943 ) at 12 weeks . Circuit training was associated with significantly higher scores in terms of gait speed ( 0.09 m/s ( SE 0.02 ) , P<0.001 ) , walking distance ( 20.0 m ( SE 7.4 ) , P=0.007 ) , and modified stairs test ( −1.6 s ( SE 0.7 ) , P=0.015 ) . There were no significant differences between groups for the other secondary outcomes , except for the leisure domain of the Nottingham extended activities of daily living and the memory and thinking domain of the stroke impact scale . With the exception of gait speed ( −0.04 m/s ( SE 0.02 ) , P=0.040 ) , there were no significant differences between groups at follow-up . Conclusion Task oriented circuit training can safely replace usual physiotherapy for patients with stroke who are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation to the community and need further training in gait and gait related activities as an outpatient . Trial registration Dutch Trial Register ( NTR1534 ) Background Most patients who suffer a stroke experience reduced walking competency and health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) . A key factor in effective stroke rehabilitation is intensive , task-specific training . Recent studies suggest that intensive , patient-tailored training can be organized as a circuit with a series of task-oriented workstations . Primary aim of the FIT-Stroke trial is to evaluate the effects and cost-effectiveness of a structured , progressive task-oriented circuit class training ( CCT ) programme , compared to usual physiotherapeutic care during outpatient rehabilitation in a rehabilitation centre . The task-oriented CCT will be applied in groups of 4 to 6 patients . Outcome will be defined in terms of gait and gait-related ADLs after stroke . The trial will also investigate the generalizability of treatment effects of task-oriented CCT in terms of perceived fatigue , anxiety , depression and perceived HRQoL. Methods / design The multicentre single-blinded r and omized trial will include 220 stroke patients discharged to the community from inpatient rehabilitation , who are able to communicate and walk at least 10 m without physical , h and s-on assistance . After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation , patients in the experimental group will receive task-oriented CCT two times a week for 12 weeks at the physiotherapy department of the rehabilitation centre . Control group patients will receive usual individual , face-to-face , physiotherapy . Costs will be evaluated by having each patient keep a cost diary for the first 24 weeks after r and omisation . Primary outcomes are the mobility part of the Stroke Impact Scale ( SIS-3.0 ) and the EuroQol . Secondary outcomes are the other domains of SIS-3.0 , lower limb muscle strength , walking endurance , gait speed , balance , confidence not to fall , instrumental ADL , fatigue , anxiety , depression and HRQoL. Discussion Based on assumptions about the effect of intensity of practice and specificity of treatment effects , FIT-Stroke will address two key aims . The first aim is to investigate the effects of task-oriented CCT on walking competency and HRQoL compared to usual face-to-face physiotherapy . The second aim is to reveal the cost-effectiveness of task-oriented CCT in the first 6 months post stroke . Both aims were recently recommended as priorities by the American Hearth Association and Stroke Council . Trial registration This study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register as NTR1534 Background Increased therapy has been linked to improvements in functional ability of people with stroke . Aim To determine the effectiveness of two alternative models of increased physiotherapy service delivery ( seven-day week therapy or group circuit class therapy five days a week ) to usual care . Method Three-armed r and omized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcome . People admitted with a diagnosis of stroke , previously independently ambulant and with a moderate level of disability were recruited .  ‘ Usual care ’ was individual physiotherapy provided five-days a week . Seven-day week therapy was usual care physiotherapy provided seven-days a week . Participants in the circuit class therapy arm of the trial received physiotherapy in group circuit classes in two 90-min sessions , five-days a week . Primary outcome was distance walked on the six-minute walk test at four-weeks post-r and omization . Results Two hundred eighty-three participants were r and omized ; primary outcome data were available for 259 ( 92 % ) . In the seven-day arm participants received an additional three hours of physiotherapy and thosein the circuit class armanadditional 22 h. There were no significant between-group differences at four-weeks in walking distance ( P = 0·72 ) . Length of stay was shorter for seven-day ( mean difference −2·9 days , 95 % confidence interval −17·9 to 12·0 ) and circuit class participants ( mean difference −9·2 days , 95 % confidence interval −24·2 to 5·8 ) compared to usual care , but this was not significant . Conclusions Both seven-day therapy and group circuit class therapy increased physiotherapy time , but walking outcomes were equivalent to usual care Background and Purpose — Conventional therapies fail to restore normal gait to many patients after stroke . The study purpose was to test response to coordination exercise , overground gait training , and weight-supported treadmill training , both with and without functional neuromuscular stimulation ( FNS ) using intramuscular ( IM ) electrodes ( FNS-IM ) . Methods — In a r and omized controlled trial , 32 subjects ( > 1 year after stroke ) were assigned to 1 of 2 groups : FNS-IM or No-FNS .  Inclusion criteria included ability to walk independently but inability to execute a normal swing or stance phase . All subjects were treated 4 times per week for 12 weeks . The primary outcome measure , obtained by a blinded evaluator , was gait component execution , according to the Tinetti gait scale . Secondary measures were coordination , balance , and 6-minute walking distance . Results — Before treatment , there were no significant differences between the 2 groups for age , time since stroke , stroke severity , and each study measure . FNS-IM produced a statistically significant greater gain versus No-FNS for gait component execution ( P=0.003 ; parameter estimate 2.9 ; 95 % CI , 1.2 to 4.6 ) and knee flexion coordination ( P=0.049 ) . Conclusion — FNS-IM can have a significant advantage versus No-FNS in improving gait components and knee flexion coordination after stroke Rationale There is strong evidence for a dose – response relationship between physical therapy early after stroke and recovery of function . The optimal method of maximizing physical therapy within finite health care re sources is unknown . Aims To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two alternative models of physical therapy service delivery ( seven-days per week therapy services or group circuit class therapy over five-days a week ) to usual care for people receiving inpatient rehabilitation after stroke . Design Multicenter , three-armed r and omized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcomes . Study A total of 282 people admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities after stroke with an admission functional independence measure ( FIM ) score within the moderate range ( total 40–80 points or motor 38–62 points ) will be r and omized to receive one of three interventions : • usual care therapy over five-days a week • st and ard care therapy over seven-days a week , or • group circuit class therapy over five-days a week . Participants will receive the allocated intervention for the length of their hospital stay . Analysis will be by intention-to-treat . Outcomes The primary outcome measure is walking ability ( six-minute walk test ) at four-week postintervention with three- and six-month follow-up . Economic analysis will include a costing analysis based on length of hospital stay and staffing/re source costs and a cost-utility analysis ( incremental quality of life per incremental cost , relative to usual care ) . Secondary outcomes include walking speed and independence , ability to perform activities of daily living , arm function , quality of life and participant satisfaction OBJECTIVES We sought to assess a training program focused on muscle strength and endurance in persons with prior stroke . METHODS Thirty men with a slight hemiparesis caused by a first occurrence of stroke at least 6 months earlier were included with an average age of 54 years . The following was assessed before and after an 8-week period : muscle strength , endurance , work capacity , and activity level . The training group consisted of 21 persons and 9 served as control subjects . There were no differences between the groups in the various assessment s from the start . The training was set up as circuit training with 5 stations aim ing to strengthen the muscles and increase endurance in the bilateral lower limbs . The session lasted for 45 minutes , 3 times per week , for 8 weeks . On eligible persons in the training group , double-sided muscle biopsies were also performed before and after . RESULTS There was significance in improved muscle strength and improved peak oxygen uptake for the paretic leg , which was reflected in the muscle enzymes . The nonparetic side also showed improvement , but to a lesser extent . The control group remained unchanged . CONCLUSIONS Stroke survivors can improve muscle strength , endurance , and work capacity in both the paretic and nonparetic leg with a circuit training program Experimental and control groups of 10 hemiparetic stroke patients each underwent a 6 week , twice daily gait training program . The control group participated in a conventional physical therapy gait program . The experimental group trained in the same basic program with the addition of rhythmic auditory stimulation ( RAS ) .  Patients entered the study as soon as they could complete 5 strides with h and -held assistance . The training program had to be completed within 3 months of the patients ' stroke . In the experimental group RAS was used as a timekeeper to synchronize step patterns and gradually entrain higher stride frequencies . Study groups were equated by gender , lesion site , and age . Motor function was assessed at pretest using Barthel , Fugl-Meyer , and Berg Scales . Walking patterns were assessed during pre- and post-test without RAS present . Pre- vs post-test measures revealed a statistically significant ( P<0.05 ) increase in velocity ( 164 % vs 107 % ) , stride length ( 88 % vs 34 % ) , and reduction in EMG amplitude variability of the gastrocnemius muscle ( 69 % vs 33 % ) for the RAS-training group compared to the control group . The difference in stride symmetry improvement ( 32 % in the RAS-group vs 16 % in the control group ) was statistically not significant . The data offer evidence that RAS is an efficient tool to enhance efforts in gait rehabilitation with acute stroke patients BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE After stroke , the ability to balance in sitting is critical to independence . Although impairments in sitting balance are common , little is known about the effectiveness of rehabilitation strategies design ed to improve it . The purpose of this r and omized placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effect of a 2-week task-related training program aim ed at increasing distance reached and the contribution of the affected lower leg to support and balance . METHODS Twenty subjects at least 1 year after stroke were r and omized into an experimental or control group . The experimental group participated in a st and ardized training program involving practice of reaching beyond arm 's length . The control group received sham training involving completion of cognitive-manipulative tasks within arm 's length .  Performance of reaching in sitting was measured before and after training using electromyography , videotaping , and two force plates . Variables tested were movement time , distance reached , vertical ground reaction forces through the feet , and muscle activity . Subjects were also tested on sit-to-st and , walking , and cognitive tasks .  Nineteen subjects completed the study . RESULTS After training , experimental subjects were able to reach faster and further , increase load through the affected foot , and increase activation of affected leg muscles compared with the control group ( P < .01 ) . The experimental group also improved in sit-to-st and . The control group did not improve in reaching or sit-to-st and . Neither group improved in walking . CONCLUSIONS This study provides strong evidence of the efficacy of task-related motor training in improving the ability to balance during seated reaching activities after stroke Abstract Background and Objective : The ability to walk is impaired in more than 80 % of poststroke patients . The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the task-oriented circuit class training ( TOCCT ) with motor imagery ( MI ) on the gait during the subacute phase after a stroke . Method : This was a r and omized , controlled , assessor-blinded trial in a neurology department of a university hospital . A convenience sample of 30 people , 4 to 12 weeks ( mean , 6.3 weeks ) after the stroke was r and omized into 2 groups ( the TOCCT with MI and st and ard training group ) of 15 people each . Twenty-nine participants completed the 6-week follow-up . Participants were assigned to receive either the TOCCT with MI or dose-matched st and ard training program based on the Bobath ’s neurodevelopmental technique , 7 days a week for 2 weeks , as out patients or in patients . Outcome measures were the Functional Ambulation Classification ( FAC ) , the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment ( RVGA ) , step length asymmetry , walking speed , and 6-minute walk test ( 6MWT ) . Results : The TOCCT with MI group showed a positive improvement in the mean/median scores on most of the outcome measures at post and follow-up assessment s in comparison to the control group . However , statistically significant differences were observed in changes between the groups at post and follow-up assessment for FAC , RVGA , walking speed , and 6MWT ( ANOVA , P = .001 to .049 ; Mann-Whitney U test , P = .001 ) . Conclusion : Among the patients who had a stroke within the previous 4 to 12 weeks , the TOCCT with MI produced statistically significant and clinical ly relevant improvements in the gait and the gait-related activities Background Currently , the key advocacy in neuroscientific studies for stroke rehabilitation is that therapy should be directed towards task specificity performed with multiple repetitions . Circuit Class Therapy ( CCT ) is well suited to accomplish multiple task-specific activities . However , while repetitive task practice is achievable with circuit class therapy , in stroke survivors repetitive activities may be affected by poor neurologic inputs to motor units , result ing in decreases in discharging rates which consequently may reduce the efficiency of muscular contraction . To accomplish multiple repetitions , stroke survivors may require augmented duration of practice . To date , no study has examined the effect of augmented duration of CCT in stroke rehabilitation , and specifically what duration of CCT is more effective in influencing functional capacity among stroke survivors . Methods / design Using a r and omised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment , this study is aim ed at determining the effectiveness of structured augmented CCT in stroke rehabilitation . Sixty-eight stroke survivors ( to be recruited from a tertiary health institution in Kano , Northwest , Nigeria ) will be r and omised into one of four groups : three intervention groups of differing CCT duration s namely : 60 min , 90 min , and 120minuntes respectively , and a control group . Participants will take part in an 8-week structured intensive CCT intervention . Participants will be assessed at baseline , post-intervention , and six-month follow-up for the effectiveness of the varied duration s of therapy , using st and ardised tools . Based on the WHO-ICF model , the outcomes are body structure/function , activity limitation , and participation restriction measures . Discussion It is expected that the outcome of this study will clarify whether increasing CCT duration leads to better recovery of motor function in stroke survivors . Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry ( PACTR ) : Background Given the rising number of strokes worldwide , and the large number of individuals left with disabilities after stroke , novel strategies to reduce disability , increase functions in the motor and the cognitive domains , and improve quality of life are of major importance . Physical activity is a promising intervention to address these challenges but , as yet , there is no study demonstrating definite outcomes . Our objective is to assess whether additional treatment in the form of physical fitness-based training for patients early after stroke will provide benefits in terms of functional outcomes , in particular gait speed and the Barthel Index ( co- primary outcome measures ) reflecting activities of daily living ( ADL ) . We will gather secondary functional outcomes as well as mechanistic parameters in an exploratory approach . Methods / Design Our phase III r and omised controlled trial will recruit 215 adults with moderate to severe limitations of walking and ADL 5 to 45 days after stroke onset . Participants will be stratified for the prognostic variables of “ centre ” , “ age ” , and “ stroke severity ” , and r and omly assigned to one of two groups . The interventional group receives physical fitness training delivered as supported or unsupported treadmill training ( cardiovascular active aerobic training ; five times per week , over 4 weeks ; each session 50 minutes ; total of 20 additional physical fitness training sessions ) in addition to st and ard rehabilitation treatment . The control intervention consists of relaxation sessions ( non-cardiovascular active ; five times per week week , over 4 weeks ; each session 50 minutes ) in addition to st and ard rehabilitation treatment . Co- primary efficacy endpoints will be gait speed ( in m/s , 10 m walk ) and the Barthel Index ( 100 points total ) at 3 months post-stroke , compared to baseline measurements . Secondary outcomes include st and ard measures of quality of life , sleep and mood , cognition , arm function , maximal oxygen uptake , and cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure , pulse , waist-to-hip ratio , markers of inflammation , immunity and the insulin-glucose pathway , lipid profile , and others . Discussion The goal of this endpoint-blinded , phase III r and omised controlled trial is to provide evidence to guide post-stroke physical fitness-based rehabilitation programmes , and to eluci date the mechanisms underlying this intervention . Trial registration Registered in Clinical Trials.gov with the Identifier NCT01953549 [ Purpose ] The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a circuit training program on the walking and balance abilities of stroke patients using an up-to- date walking analysis device . [ Subjects and Methods ] The subjects of this study were 12 adults who were diagnosed with stroke . Evaluation was conducted using the Smart Step test for walking ability ; ( BBS ) for balance ability ; and the Timed Up and Go test ( TUG ) for functional mobility and movement ability . The 12 stroke patients were r and omly recruited and divided into two groups ; an experimental group which performed circuit training with obstacles , and a control group which performed flat gait training ) . [ Results ] Between-group comparison of the change in the 10-m walking speed found a statistically significant difference between the two groups . Between-group comparison of the changes in BBS and TUG found statistically significant differences between the two groups . [ Conclusion ] The circuit training program using obstacles had a positive effect on the gait and balance abilities of the stroke patients
Nonsignificant summary effect sizes in favor of task-oriented circuit class training were found for the step test and balance control .
This meta- analysis supports the use of task-oriented circuit class training to improve gait and gait-related activities in patients with chronic stroke .
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is increasing interest in the potential benefits of circuit class training after stroke , but its effectiveness is uncertain .
Our aim was to systematic ally review r and omized , controlled trials of task-oriented circuit class training on gait and gait-related activities in patients with stroke .