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Rehabilitation of Walking After Stroke

  • CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS (HP ADAMS JR, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

Rehabilitation of walking after stroke has been investigated with a variety of interventions, which will be outlined in this review. To date, the majority of interventions have demonstrated a positive, but similar effect in the primary clinical outcome of self-selected walking speed. Consistent among the most successful interventions is a focus on the intensity of the intervention and the ability to progress rehabilitation in a structured fashion. Successful progression of rehabilitation of walking likely lies in the ability to combine interventions based on an understanding of contributing underlying deficits (eg, motor control, strength, cardiovascular endurance, and dynamic balance). Rehabilitation programs must account for the need to train dynamic balance for falls prevention. Lastly, clinicians and researchers need to measure the effects of rehabilitation on participation and health related quality of life.

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Acknowledgments

This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. The contents do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. Dr. Bowden has received VA Rehabilitation, Research, and Development grant support.

Disclosure

Dr. Duncan has been involved with private industry, notably she has received honorarium for consulting with Allergan to develop a post stroke disability measures and with Glaxo to design phase 2 trials to enhance stroke recovery. However, these are not in conflict with the contents of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA

    Mark G. Bowden PhD, PT

  2. Department of Health Science and Research and Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, 77 President St., MSC 700, Charleston, SC, 29425-7000, USA

    Mark G. Bowden PhD, PT, Aaron E. Embry PT, DPT, MSCR & Lindsay A. Perry PT, DPT, NCS

  3. Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Pamela W. Duncan PhD, PT, FAPTA

Authors
  1. Mark G. Bowden PhD, PT
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  2. Aaron E. Embry PT, DPT, MSCR
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  3. Lindsay A. Perry PT, DPT, NCS
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  4. Pamela W. Duncan PhD, PT, FAPTA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark G. Bowden PhD, PT.

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Bowden, M.G., Embry, A.E., Perry, L.A. et al. Rehabilitation of Walking After Stroke. Curr Treat Options Neurol 14, 521–530 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-012-0198-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-012-0198-1

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