Determining Safe Participation in Aerobic Exercise Early After Stroke Through a Graded Submaximal Exercise Test.

Objective: The benefits of aerobic exercise early after stroke are well known, but concerns about cardiovascular risk are a barrier to clinical implementation. Symptom-limited exercise testing with electrocardiography (ECG) is recommended but not always feasible. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of and corresponding exercise intensities at which ECG abnormalities occurred during submaximal exercise testing that would limit safe exercise prescription beyond those intensities.

Atypical anticipatory postural adjustments during gait initiation among individuals with sub-acute stroke.

Anticipatory postural adjustments, executed prior to gait initiation, help preserve lateral stability when stepping. Atypical patterns of anticipatory activity prior to gait initiation may occur in individuals with unilateral impairment (e.g.

Promoting Optimal Physical Exercise for Life: An Exercise and Self-Management Program to Encourage Participation in Physical Activity after Discharge from Stroke Rehabilitation-A Feasibility Study.

People with stroke do not achieve adequate levels of physical exercise following discharge from rehabilitation. We developed a group exercise and self-management program (PROPEL), delivered during stroke rehabilitation, to promote uptake of physical activity after discharge. This study aimed to establish the feasibility of a larger study to evaluate the effect of this program on participation in self-directed physical activity.

Incorporating research technology into the clinical assessment of balance and mobility: perspectives of physiotherapists and people with stroke.

Purpose: To describe the perspectives of people with stroke and their physiotherapists on the use of biomechanics technology to assess balance and mobility.

Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with patients with stroke and a focus group with their physiotherapists. Coding of interview and focus-group data used a line-by-line inductive approach, with qualitative software to develop codes into themes.

Use of Accelerometer-Based Feedback of Walking Activity for Appraising Progress With Walking-Related Goals in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Regaining independent ambulation is important to those with stroke. Increased walking practice during "down time" in rehabilitation could improve walking function for individuals with stroke.

Objective: To determine the effect of providing physiotherapists with accelerometer-based feedback on patient activity and walking-related goals during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Clinical implementation of a reactive balance control assessment in a sub-acute stroke patient population using a 'lean-and-release' methodology.

Reactive balance control, specifically performance of rapid stepping responses, is associated with falls, but not routinely assessed in clinical practice. Challenges to clinical assessment may include a lack of available methods that are safe, standardized and able to quantify the balance responses. We implemented a reactive balance control assessment, using lean-and-release methodology, in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program.

Integrating aerobic training within subacute stroke rehabilitation: a feasibility study.

Background: Aerobic activity positively affects patients recovering from stroke and is part of best practice guidelines, yet this evidence has not been translated to routine practice.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a model of care that integrated aerobic training in an inpatient rehabilitation setting for patients in the subacute stage of stroke recovery. Key elements of the program were personalized training prescription based on submaximal test results and supervision within a group setting.

Longitudinal changes in poststroke spatiotemporal gait asymmetry over inpatient rehabilitation.

Background: Little information exists about longitudinal changes in spatiotemporal gait asymmetry during rehabilitation, despite it being a common goal. Objectives. To describe longitudinal changes in spatiotemporal gait asymmetry over rehabilitation and examine relationships with changes in other poststroke impairments.

Using wireless technology in clinical practice: does feedback of daily walking activity improve walking outcomes of individuals receiving rehabilitation post-stroke? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Regaining independent ambulation is the top priority for individuals recovering from stroke. Thus, physical rehabilitation post-stroke should focus on improving walking function and endurance. However, the amount of walking completed by individuals with stroke attending rehabilitation is far below that required for independent community ambulation.

Partnering to increase access to community exercise programs for people with stroke, acquired brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Background: The purpose of this article is to describe the development and evaluation of a task-oriented group exercise program, delivered through a municipal recreation program, for community-dwelling people with neurological conditions.

Methods: Physical therapists (PTs) at a rehabilitation hospital partnered with a municipal recreation provider to develop and evaluate a 12-week exercise program for people with stroke, acquired brain injury, and multiple sclerosis at 2 community centers. Fitness instructors who were trained and supported by PTs taught 1-hour exercise classes twice a week.

Training rapid stepping responses in an individual with stroke.

Background And Purpose: Compensatory stepping reactions are important responses to prevent a fall following a postural perturbation. People with hemiparesis following a stroke show delayed initiation and execution of stepping reactions and often are found to be unable to initiate these steps with the more-affected limb. This case report describes a targeted training program involving repeated postural perturbations to improve control of compensatory stepping in an individual with stroke.

Immediate effects of cane use on gait symmetry in individuals with subacute stroke.

Purpose: In stroke rehabilitation, there is a lack of consensus regarding the effects of cane use on gait symmetry. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects on gait symmetry of ambulating with a standard cane and a quad cane among individuals with subacute stroke.

Method: A within-subject experimental design was used to evaluate symmetry in in-patients with subacute stroke during ambulation on a pressure-sensitive walkway for three task conditions: with no cane, with standard single-point cane, and with quad cane.

Progressive resistance strengthening exercises after stroke: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of progressive resistance strengthening exercises to improve gross motor function and walking in patients receiving intensive rehabilitation after stroke.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Five inpatient rehabilitation programs affiliated with teaching hospitals.