Abstract
The purposes were threefold: to develop an obstacle ambulation training programme, to recruit and retain individuals post chronic stroke and to assess the effectiveness of the obstacle ambulation training programme.
Intervention study; case series; baseline to post-intervention measures and one month follow-up after intervention.
An outpatient department.
Five individuals with chronic stroke with mild to moderate functional limitations; convenience sample.
Therapy consisted of twice weekly sessions for four weeks during which subjects walked along a walkway and over obstacles.
Motor Assessment Scale--walking section (MAS--time), Six-minute Walk Test distance, walking velocity, and Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement (SF-36).
Significant improvements were seen baseline to post intervention for walking velocity, Six-minute Walk Test, MAS and SF-36 physical function score (p < or = 0.025 for all measures). Most improvements noted at the end of training were retained one month later. The effect sizes ranged from 0.33 to 1.20.
Substantial improvement in ambulation function and disability level were seen as a result of the obstacle training programme for individuals with chronic stroke. Further investigation is warranted.
