Fast Muscle Activation and Stepping Training (FAST) Post-stroke

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Hemiparesis; Stroke
• Interventions: Behavioral: FAST protocol; Behavioral: Usual Care

• Registration Number: NCT01573585
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether FAST (Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training) exercises will improve walking balance in individuals after stroke to a greater extent than usual care.

Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis is that improvements in walking balance will be larger following 12 sessions of FAST exercise retraining compared to usual care in persons in the sub-acute phase after stroke.

Detailed Description

It is estimated that 75-80% of individuals who have had a stroke will survive the acute event and be left with residual disability. Regaining independence in standing and walking is of utmost importance for patients recovering from stroke. Walking balance requires muscles in the legs and trunk to contract quickly if people lose their balance. Physical therapy plays a key role in the rehabilitation of walking balance in individuals after stroke. Given that maintaining one's balance requires fast muscle activity, rehabilitation post-stroke should focus on speed of movement. Thus we are proposing to compare a program that emphasizes speed of movement, Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training versus an active control (usual care).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2012-04-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-04-05
• Study First Posted: 2012-04-09
• Study Start: 2012-11
• Status Verified: 2016-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-06-27
• Last Update Posted: 2016-06-29
• Primary Completion: 2017-03
• Study Completion: 2017-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• first stroke (<6 months ago)
• presence of hemiparesis in the lower extremity
• minimum Berg Balance Score (BBS) of 30/56
• cognitive ability to give informed consent

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• bilateral stroke, or a previous stroke in the other hemisphere
• severe co-morbidity that is likely to dominate the pattern of care
• co-existing peripheral neuropathies or disorders of the vestibular apparatus
• musculoskeletal problems
• global aphasia or receptive aphasia

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
FAST protocol	FAST protocol	The Fast muscle activation and stepping training will be the Experimental arm of this trial. This program will be exercises emphasizing speed of movement.
Usual care	Usual Care	The usual care will consist of strength training, endurance, range of motion, patient education, weight shifting in standing and gait re-training.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Community Balance and Mobility Scale	Pre treatment and Post treatment (6 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Gait assessment	Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)	Self selected speed and changes in electromyography
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale	Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
Community Balance and Mobility Scale	Post treatment and Retention (+1 month after treatment)
Physiological balance assessment by internal and external perturbations	Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)	Electromyography and Center of pressure changes

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Lions Gate Hospital; 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Holy Family Hospital; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada