Evaluation of Early Standardized Task-Specific Training (ESTT)

Evaluation of Early Standardized Task-Specific Training (ESTT) in Persons With Acute Stroke

A. Specific Aims:

1. There is one specific aim of this study. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of early standardized task-specific training (ESTT) in persons with acute stroke.

B. Hypothesis:

1. It is our hypothesis that subjects who receive ESTT will walk faster and more symmetrically than published reports of gait outcomes in persons with stroke.

It is our contention that gait recovery after stroke is impacted by the interventions that are acutely utilized during training. There is not a consensus about how to most effectively train individuals after stroke. It is clear, however, that most persons are left with significant and often debilitating gait dysfunction after stroke so there is an urgent need to find more effective therapeutic methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Recent stroke (less than 6 weeks)
• Able to give conformed consent or have family member who can give consent
• first time stroke OR complete recovery from prior stroke

Exclusion Criteria:

• non-ambulatory before onset of stroke
• bilateral stroke
• presence of severe cardiac problems
• other co-morbidities which would affect gait training (i.e. amputation, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, etc.)
• recent myocardial infarct (within 4 weeks)
• any uncontrolled health condition for which exercise is contraindicated
• severe lower extremity joint disease/pathology that would interfere with gait training
• subjects with BMI greater than 40
• significant cognitive impairment
• age greater than 80 years or less than 16 years
• able to complete 5 or more full heel raises with the affected ankle in standing with the knee extended with no more than one or two fingers on support surface for balance