Body-weight-supported gait training with virtual reality for people after stroke
A Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Body Weight-Supported Forward and Backward Gait Training Versus Virtual Reality-Assisted Gait Training in Patients With Stroke
This test tries to see if adding virtual-reality dual-task practice to body-weight-supported walking helps people after stroke improve their walking, balance, and thinking more than forward or backward walking training.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, Çankaya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07550270 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional comparison gives people after a first stroke body-weight-supported walking practice either with virtual-reality dual-task exercises or with forward/backward walking training. Participants must be able to stand briefly and walk about 10 meters, have reasonably preserved cognition, and have limited lower-extremity spasticity. The study measures gait parameters (step length, speed), balance, overall functional capacity, cognitive function, and psychological status to compare effects across approaches. Results are intended to guide more effective rehabilitation strategies for improving mobility after stroke.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with a first-ever stroke more than two weeks ago who can stand for at least two minutes, can walk 10 meters with or without assistance, have MMSE scores above 23, Brunnstrom lower-extremity stage >2, and lower-extremity spasticity below grade 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale.
Not a fit: People with bilateral hemispheric lesions, severe cardiovascular or musculoskeletal conditions that prevent participation, high spasticity, substantial cognitive impairment, or who cannot safely stand or walk are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, combining body-weight support with virtual-reality dual-task practice could lead to safer, faster walking, better balance, and improved cognitive-motor performance during walking for people after stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows that virtual-reality–assisted gait training and backward-walking exercises can each improve gait and engagement, but direct head-to-head comparisons of VR dual-task versus backward walking are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients experiencing their first-ever stroke * Patients with a post-stroke duration of more than 2 weeks * Patients with plantar flexor muscle spasticity of the lower extremity less than grade 3 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) * Patients with a Brunnstrom stage of the lower extremity greater than 2 * Patients who are able to stand independently or under supervision for at least 2 minutes for standing assessments * Patients who are able to walk at least 10 meters independently or under supervision, with or without an assistive device, for walking assessments * Patients with sufficient cognitive function to understand study instructions (Mini-Mental State Examination \[MMSE\] score \> 23) * Patients with stable medical and psychological conditions * Patients who are willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with bilateral hemispheric lesions * Patients with severe cardiovascular or musculoskeletal conditions that prevent walking (e.g., fixed ankle contracture) * Patients using a permanent urinary catheter, or those with pressure ulcers or urinary and/or fecal incontinence * Patients with unilateral neglect * Patients with neurological conditions other than stroke that may affect balance performance (e.g., Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebellar disorders, vertigo, dizziness, polyneuropathy) or musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., severe low back pain, knee disorders) * Patients with severe visual, hearing, or speech impairments
Where this trial is running
Ankara, Çankaya
- Ankara, Çankaya, Türkiye (Türkiye), 06800 Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training And Research Hospital — Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tuğba ATAN, Associate Professor, MD — Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training And Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Irem ERTORAN INAN, MD
- Email: irem.ertoran@gmail.com
- Phone: 03122912422
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.