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Movement Analysis of Stroke Patients When Walking on a Treadmill

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Other: Walking
Registration Number
NCT04180124
Lead Sponsor
University Ghent
Brief Summary

In daily clinic, the use of treadmills to analyze the gait quality of a patient increases. The advantages of using a treadmill are that a smaller space is needed compared to a 3D lab for motion analysis, more steps can be recorded in shorter time period and patients should not start, stop or rotate during the analyses. One of the systems which can be used to perform motion analysis on a treadmill is the GRAIL. This GRAIL (Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab) consists of an advanced treadmill with force sensors. Patients can walk on this treadmill with an imposed speed (fixed-speed) or at a speed determined by the patient itself (self-paced). Because not everyone is used to walk on a treadmill it is important to know if a person's walking pattern is different when he walks over ground compared to walking on the treadmill. Based on these insights, decisions can be made regarding interventions including treadmill training or this findings can be taking into account during further analysis of walking patterns on a treadmill. For this study stroke patients would be invited for an assessment on the treadmill (1 assessment moment). The movement pattern of these patients would be compared in different conditions:

* (Forward and backward) Walking at comfortable walking speed on the GAITRite

* Walking at comfortable walking speed on the treadmill in fixed speed mode

* Walking at comfortable walking speed +0.2 m/s (faster walking) on the treadmill in fixed speed mode

* Walking at comfortable walking speed on the treadmill in self-paced mode

* Backward walking at comfortable walking speed on the treadmill in fixed speed mode (only if patients are eligible to do so)

Hypotheses based on this study protocol:

* Do stroke patients walk different over ground compared to treadmill walking

* Do stroke patients walk different during treadmill walking self-paced compared to fixed speed

* Do stroke patients walk different during treadmill walking fixed speed comfortable walking speed compared to fast walking

* Is there a correlation between upper extremity impairment and arm swing

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
25
Inclusion Criteria
  • Stroke patients with the ability to walk without walking devices for 6 minutes without rest (indoor walking). Use of AFO is allowed if necessary.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Traumatic brain lesions (car accident, fall with bike, ...)

  • Other disorders such as neurologic, musculoskeletal, respiratory or severe cardiovascular disorders that affected gait performance

    • Bilateral stroke
    • Cerebellar stroke
    • Orthopedic surgery lower limbs in the past
    • Cognitive or language impairments that prevent the patients from understand simple orders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Treadmill walking fixed speed - comfortable speedWalkingPatients will walk on the treadmill in fixed speed mode. They will walk at comfortable gait speed, which is determined in the familiarization period. Patient walks for 3 minutes for every condition = data will be recorded for 1 minute.
GaitRiteWalkingPatients will walk on the GaitRite. * forward walking at comfortable gait speed (6 x 10 meter) * backward walking at comfortable gait speed (4 x 10 meter)
Treadmill walking fixed speed - backward walkingWalkingPatients will walk on the treadmill in fixed speed mode. Patient will walk backwards on the treadmill if they are able to. Patient walks for 3 minutes for every condition = data will be recorded for 1 minute.
Treadmill walking self-pacedWalkingPatients will walk on the treadmill in self-paced mode. They can control walking speed by themselves. Patient walks for 3 minutes for every condition = data will be recorded for 1 minute.
Treadmill walking fixed speed - fast speedWalkingPatients will walk on the treadmill in fixed speed mode. They will walk at a gait speed, which is 1 minimal clinical difference faster than their comfortable gait speed. Patient walks for 3 minutes for every condition = data will be recorded for 1 minute.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in kinematicsSingle point of assessment in one day

Change in full body 3D kinematic analyses during walking (°)

Change in kineticsSingle point of assessment in one day

Change in full body 3D kinetic analyses during walking

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postural stability testBaseline assessment before walking trials

Balance test

Fugl Meyer assessment ULBaseline assessment before walking trials

Impairment test for upper extremity in stroke patients: Fugl Meyer assessment - score between 0 and 66. Higher score reflects less impairment of the upper limb.

Fugl Meyer assessment LLBaseline assessment before walking trials

Impairment test for lower extremity in stroke patients: Fugl Meyer assessment lower extremity. Scores between 0 - 34. Higher score reflects less impairment of the lower limb.

Speed variability during self-paced treadmill walkingSingle point of assessment in one day

Average walking speed (and standard deviation) during self-paced treadmill walking

Lateral rotation of the scapulaBaseline assessment before walking trials

Lateral rotation of the scapula measured with an inclinometer (°)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ghent University Hospital

🇧🇪

Ghent, Belgium

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