NCT06850662

Backward Walking Observation Training in People With Stroke and Gait Quality in Stroke

The Effect of Backward Walking Observation Training on Improving Brain Activity and Gait Quality in People With Stroke

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Walking impairment is one of the most common and concerning issues for individuals with stroke. Previous studies have often used improvements in walking speed and distance as reference indicators for gait performance progress in individuals with stroke. However, for people with chronic stroke, it may be more appropriate to prioritize improving gait symmetry and gait variability to enhance gait quality as a primary intervention goal. Additionally, stroke can lead to an imbalance in interhemispheric brain activity, which evolves as motor function recovers. According to the literature review, backward walking may extend the support time of the lower limbs, thereby enhancing the weight-bearing capacity of the affected limb. This, in turn, could promote gait symmetry and reduce gait variability. Changes in brain activity might also accompany such improvements in gait quality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the immediate, short-term and post carryover intervention effects of backward walking observation training on gait quality in individuals with chronic stroke as well as to explore its effects on interhemispheric activity balance in individuals with chronic stroke.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Backward walking observation training	Backward treadmill training after watching a video of backward walking.
OTHER	Non-motor observational backward walking training	Backward treadmill training after watching a video of landscape without any movements.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-24
• Primary completion: 2028-03-01
• Completion: 2028-09-30
• First posted: 2025-02-27
• Last updated: 2025-06-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan