Structured Walking Program Shows Significant Benefits for Early Stroke Rehabilitation

Researchers at 12 stroke units across Canada have discovered that adding a structured, higher-intensity walking program to standard physical therapy can substantially improve stroke survivors' mobility and quality of life during early rehabilitation. The study, to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, involved 306 participants who had experienced an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke approximately one month prior. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard care or a new protocol involving 30 minutes of daily progressive walking activities.

Study coauthor Janice Eng, a stroke rehabilitation specialist from the University of British Columbia, emphasized the importance of structured exercise during the initial months after a stroke. The brain's neuroplasticity is most active during this period, making it crucial to implement intensive rehabilitation strategies. Participants wore activity-tracking watches to monitor heart rate and steps, with the goal of achieving 2,000 steps at moderate intensity during five weekly physical therapy sessions. The research team found that the progressive walking group demonstrated significant improvements compared to the standard care group.

Key findings revealed that the progressive walking group improved their six-minute walk test performance by approximately 43.6 meters more than the control group. Additionally, participants experienced notable enhancements in quality of life, balance, mobility, and gait speed. The study's unique approach involved training front-line therapists across all 12 stroke units to implement the new protocol, demonstrating the potential for widespread adoption of this rehabilitation strategy. Dr. Preeti Raghavan, chair of the American Stroke Association Rehab and Recovery committee, noted the study's significance in showing that changing rehabilitation practices is possible, particularly during the critical early stage of stroke recovery.

While the research shows promising results, researchers acknowledged a limitation: participants needed to be able to take at least five steps, potentially excluding some stroke survivors with more severe mobility challenges. The findings underscore the potential of targeted, progressive exercise interventions in stroke rehabilitation and offer hope for improved recovery outcomes for stroke survivors. This research represents an important step forward in optimizing rehabilitation protocols during the window of maximum neuroplasticity following stroke.