Effects of Task Oriented Gait Training With Core Stablization Excercises on 3 Parameters.

Effects of Task-Oriented Gait Training With Core Stabilization Exercises on Mobility, Gait, and Balance in Patients With Stroke

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of task-oriented gait training and core stabilization exercises on mobility, balance, and gait in 54 stroke patients (aged 45-75 years, 6 months to 2 years post-ischemic stroke). Participants with left hemiplegia and MMSE ≥24 will be randomly assigned to either intervention for 8 weeks (3 sessions/week). Outcome measures include the 6-Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, GAIT, Timed Up and Go Test, and a Patient Satisfaction Survey. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 to determine intervention effectiveness.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stroke Patients
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Task-Oriented Gait Training; Other: Core Stabilization Exercises

Detailed Description

Stroke is defined as a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from receiving essential oxygen and nutrients. This interruption can result from either a blockage (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). The immediate effects of a stroke can lead to significant motor impairments, long-term disability, and profound impacts on mobility, gait, and balance, posing substantial challenges to rehabilitation and overall quality of life. Effective rehabilitation strategies, such as task-oriented gait training and core stabilization exercises, are crucial for improving functional outcomes in stroke patients. Task-oriented gait training emphasizes specific walking tasks to enhance functional mobility, while core stabilization exercises aim to strengthen trunk muscles, thereby improving balance.

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will involve 54 stroke patients aged 45 to 75 years, determined through OpenEpi, Version 3 sample size calculations. Eligible participants will include individuals who are 6 months to 2 years post-ischemic stroke, have left hemiplegia, possess a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher, are able to ambulate independently, and can provide informed consent. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A will receive task-oriented gait training, while Group B will engage in core stabilization exercises, both administered over an 8-week period with three sessions per week. Outcome measures will include the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) for assessing functional mobility and endurance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for evaluating balance and fall risk, the Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (GAIT) for gait evaluation, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) for mobility assessment and Patient Satisfaction Survey. Pre- and post-intervention data will be systematically collected to analyze the relative effectiveness of these interventions in post-stroke rehabilitation. Data will be analyzed by SPSS version 25.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 54
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Sialkot, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 51310
      • Sialkot Medical Complex

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 45 to 75 years
• Diagnosed with ischemic stroke
• Onset of stroke at least 6 months and no more than 2 years prior to enrollment
• Able to ambulate with or without assistive devices
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher
• Experiencing left hemiplegia
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other neurological disorders affecting mobility
• Severe musculoskeletal conditions impacting gait or balance
• Uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g., severe cardiovascular issues)
• Major surgery within the last 6 months
• Current participation in other rehabilitation programs
• Contraindications to exercise as determined by a healthcare provider

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Task-Oriented Gait Training; It focuses on enhancing functional mobility through real-life walking and movement tasks. The program includes five key exercises: walking practice on flat and uneven surfaces with variations in stride length, speed, and direction; reaching and grasping objects of different sizes and weights from sitting and standing positions; sit-to-stand transitions with minimal arm support; stair navigation with handrail assistance; and object manipulation at varying heights and distances. Each session is conducted three times per week for eight weeks, emphasizing repetition and progression to simulate daily functional activities.	Other: Task-Oriented Gait Training; It focuses on enhancing functional mobility through real-life walking and movement tasks. The program includes five key exercises: walking practice on flat and uneven surfaces with variations in stride length, speed, and direction; reaching and grasping objects of different sizes and weights from sitting and standing positions; sit-to-stand transitions with minimal arm support; stair navigation with handrail assistance; and object manipulation at varying heights and distances. Each session is conducted three times per week for eight weeks, emphasizing repetition and progression to simulate daily functional activities.
Experimental: Core Stabilization Exercises; It targets the improvement of balance and postural control through strengthening of trunk muscles. Participants will perform four core-focused exercises: bridging to activate glutes and lower back muscles, pelvic tilts to improve pelvic control and lumbar alignment, side planks for lateral trunk stability, and quadruped (bird-dog) movements to challenge dynamic balance. Exercises are performed in sets with specific repetitions or hold times, progressively increasing in difficulty. The sessions are delivered three times per week for eight weeks to enhance core strength and overall stability in stroke patients.	Other: Core Stabilization Exercises; It targets the improvement of balance and postural control through strengthening of trunk muscles. Participants will perform four core-focused exercises: bridging to activate glutes and lower back muscles, pelvic tilts to improve pelvic control and lumbar alignment, side planks for lateral trunk stability, and quadruped (bird-dog) movements to challenge dynamic balance. Exercises are performed in sets with specific repetitions or hold times, progressively increasing in difficulty. The sessions are delivered three times per week for eight weeks to enhance core strength and overall stability in stroke patients.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)	The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) assesses functional mobility and endurance by measuring walking distance in six minutes, with high reliability in stroke patients (ICC > 0.90).	4 weeks
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) evaluates static and dynamic balance across 14 tasks, serving as a gold standard for fall risk assessment with excellent reliability (ICC = 0.97-0.98).	4 weeks
Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (GAIT)	The Gait Assessment and Intervention Tool (GAIT) identifies gait abnormalities such as asymmetry and reduced speed, providing targeted insights for gait rehabilitation (ICC = 0.92).	4 weeks
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)	The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) measures functional mobility and fall risk by timing transitional movements, showing strong reliability (ICC = 0.95).	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Muhammad Ali Hassan Alvi, MS-NMPT, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 18, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): February 25, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 16, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/RCR&AHS/24/0282

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No