Treadmill training and body weight support for walking after stroke

Moseley AM, Stark A, Cameron ID, Pollock A

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

There is not enough evidence from trials to determine the effect of treadmill training with or without body weight support for walking after stroke. An inability or an impaired ability to walk is common after stroke. Walking on a treadmill, possibly with some body weight supported via a harness connected to an overhead support system, can be used to train walking. This review found that there was not enough evidence to fully determine the effects of treadmill training. More research is needed to clarify the effects of treadmill training.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Treadmill training, with or without some body weight supported using a harness, is a method of treating walking after stroke.

Objectives:

To assess the effectiveness of treadmill training and body weight support, individually or in combination, in the treatment of walking after stroke. The primary outcomes investigated were walking speed, endurance and dependency.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 2 March 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2005), EMBASE (1980 to February 2005), CINAHL (1982 to February 2005) and PEDro (last searched 2 March 2005). We also handsearched relevant conference proceedings, screened reference lists and contacted trialists to identify further trials.

Selection criteria:

Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled and cross-over trials of treadmill training and body weight support, individually or in combination, for the treatment of walking after stroke.

Data collection and analysis:

Two authors independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed quality. We used a fixed-effect model for analysis, but if heterogeneity existed a random-effects model was used. We analysed the results as weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous variables and relative risk (RR) for dichotomous variables.

Main results:

Fifteen trials (622 participants) were included. There were no statistically significant differences between treadmill training, with or without body weight support, and other interventions for walking speed or dependence. Among participants who could walk independently at the start of treatment, treadmill training with body weight support tended to produce higher walking speeds (WMD 0.09 m/s, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.02 to 0.20 for speed; fixed-effect), but this result was not statistically significant. An individual trial tended to support the use of treadmill training with body weight support for dependent walkers as compared to treadmill training alone. One of three individual trials indicated that independent walkers may benefit from treadmill training combined with other task-orientated exercise. However, data are very limited. Adverse events occurred more frequently in participants receiving treadmill training but these were not judged to be clinically serious events.

Authors' conclusions:

Overall no statistically significant effect of treadmill training with or without body weight support was detected. Although individual studies suggested that treadmill training with body weight support may be more effective than treadmill training alone and that treadmill training plus task-oriented exercise may be more effective than sham exercises, further trials are required to confirm these findings.

This record should be cited as:

Moseley AM, Stark A, Cameron ID, Pollock A. Treadmill training and body weight support for walking after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD002840. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002840.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

April 14, 2005

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Primary Review Group:

Stroke Group

Health topics:

Heart & circulation > Stroke > Prevention & treatment of complications

Neurology > Stroke > Prevention & treatment of complications

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Treadmill training and body weight support for walking after stroke

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