NCT07420608

Targeted Ankle Proprioceptive Training Improves Balance, Gait, and Functional Mobility in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Targeted Ankle Proprioceptive Training Improves Balance, Gait, and Functional Mobility in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial With Longitudinal Follow Up

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (actual)
• Sponsor: Iqra National University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with balance and gait deficits affecting \>80% of survivors and increasing fall risk. Emerging evidence links ankle proprioceptive impairment-particularly inversion/eversion acuity-to these deficits, often bilateral and central in origin. Cross-sectional studies show strong associations, but causality, temporal progression, and intervention efficacy (especially in severe/non-ambulatory cases) remain unproven. This trial tests a targeted proprioceptive protocol against standard care.

Detailed description

Objectives: Primary: To evaluate the causal effect of 12-week targeted ankle proprioceptive training on weight-bearing ankle proprioception (AMEDA) in chronic stroke survivors. Secondary: To assess effects on balance (Berg Balance Scale), gait speed (10m walk test), mobility (Timed Up and Go, Functional Ambulation Category), lower extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer), and sustainability at 6-month follow-up. To describe longitudinal proprioceptive changes in a subsample from acute to chronic stages.

Conditions

• Proprioceptive Disorders
• Balance; Distorted
• Stroke Sequelae

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Gait training	Both groups: 12 weeks, 3 sessions/week × 60 min, supervised. Intervention Group (n=70): Progressive targeted ankle proprioceptive training

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-01-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-31
• Completion: 2025-12-31
• First posted: 2026-02-19
• Last updated: 2026-02-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan