Effects of intensive therapy using gait trainer or floor walking exercises early after stroke.

Objective: To analyse the effects of gait therapy for patients after acute stroke in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fifty-six patients with a mean of 8 days post-stroke participated in: (i) gait trainer exercise; (ii) walking training over ground; or (iii) conventional treatment. Patients in the gait trainer exercise and walking groups practiced gait for 15 sessions over 3 weeks and received additional physiotherapy. Functional Ambulatory Category and several secondary outcome measures assessing gait and mobility were administered before and after rehabilitation and at 6-month follow-up. Patients also evaluated their own effort. Results: Walking ability improved more with intensive…