Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation and Dual-task Gait Training in Chronic Stroke

Combined Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation and Dual-task Gait Training in Individuals With Chronic Stroke: a Pre-post Study With Exploratory Age-stratified Analyses

Rhythmic auditory stimulation and dual-task gait training may improve post-stroke mobility, but evidence regarding integrated programmes and age-related differences in treatment response remains limited. The aim of the study is to evaluate changes in mobility, balance, motor dual-task performance, concern about falling, and health-related quality of life after a six-week combined programme, and to explore whether responses differed across age strata.

This prospective single-group pre-post study included individuals with chronic stroke. Participants completed supervised rhythmic auditory stimulation and progressively intensified motor dual-task gait training three times weekly for six weeks. Outcomes included motor dual-task performance, Timed Up and Go, bilateral single-leg stance, Mini-BESTest, Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and SF-36. An independent assessor, unaware of previous scores and age-stratum allocation, conducted baseline and post-intervention assessments. Prespecified exploratory analyses compared changes across age strata.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥45 years
• stroke ≥6 months previously
• ability to walk at least 10 m independently or with minimal assistance
• sufficient hearing to follow rhythmic auditory cues

Exclusion Criteria:

• advanced aphasia
• severe neglect, cognitive impairment,
• marked visual impairment,
• severe spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale score15 ≥3)
• severe cardiopulmonary disease
• vestibular dysfunction
• an orthopaedic condition limiting walking
• progressive neurological disease