BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Overground gait training-observation and cueing of patient's walking pattern along with related exercises-forms a major part of rehabilitation services for individuals with chronic stroke in almost every setting. This report of a Cochrane systematic review assessed the effects of overground gait training on walking ability for individuals with mobility deficits subsequent to chronic stroke. DATA SOURCES: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Science Citation Index Expanded, http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, among other databases through spring 2008. We also searched reference lists and contacted authors and trial investigators. REVIEW METHODS: Only randomized controlled trials comparing overground physical therapy gait training with a placebo or no treatment condition were included. RESULTS: Nine studies involving 499 participants were included. We found no evidence of a benefit on walking function, the primary variable, based on three studies (n = 269). Some performance variables did show significant effects. Walking speed increased by 0.07 m/sec (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 0.10) based on seven studies (n = 396), Timed Up and Go test improved by 1.81 seconds (95% CI -2.29 to -1.33) based on three studies (n = 118), and six-minute walk test increased by 26.06 m (95% CI 7.14 to 44.97) based on four studies (n = 181). CONCLUSIONS: We found insufficient evidence to determine whether overground physical therapy gait training benefits walking function in individuals with chronic stroke, although limited evidence suggests potential benefits for some performance variables. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate and extend these findings.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher

A brief summary and a critical assessment of this review may be available at DARE