Body Weight-Supported and Virtual Reality Gait Training in Stroke Patients

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

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of body weight-supported gait training that includes virtual reality-assisted dual-task applications with body weight-supported forward and backward gait training on functional capacity, gait parameters (such as step length, gait speed, and balance), cognitive functions and psychological status in patients with stroke. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for improving mobility in patients with stroke

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Stroke; Balance; Gait Training; Walking Impairment
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Virtual Reality-Assisted Gait Training; Other: Backward Gait Training; Other: Forward Gait Training

Detailed Description

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide and often results in motor, balance, and cognitive impairments that negatively affect functional independence and quality of life. Walking limitations are among the most common consequences after stroke and represent a major barrier to community participation. Therefore, improving gait performance and functional mobility is a primary goal of stroke rehabilitation.

Body weight-supported gait training is widely used to improve walking ability in individuals with impaired balance and reduced motor function. In recent years, rehabilitation technologies such as virtual reality-assisted gait training have been increasingly incorporated into clinical practice. Virtual reality may enhance patient engagement and promote both motor and cognitive recovery by providing interactive environments and increasing task demands.

Backward walking training has also gained attention as an alternative rehabilitation approach. Compared to forward walking, backward walking requires greater postural control and cognitive processing, similar to dual-task training, and may contribute to improvements in balance and gait performance. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing virtual reality-assisted dual-task gait training with backward walking training in patients with stroke.

This study aims to compare the effects of body weight-supported virtual reality-assisted dual-task gait training and body weight-supported forward and backward gait training on functional capacity, gait parameters, cognitive functions, and psychological status in patients with stroke. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for improving mobility and functional outcomes in stroke rehabilitation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Irem ERTORAN INAN, MD; Phone Number: 03122912422; Email: irem.ertoran@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Çankaya
    • Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye), 06800
      • Recruiting
      • Ankara, Çankaya, Türkiye (Türkiye), 06800 Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training And Research Hospital
      • Contact: Tuğba ATAN; Phone Number: 0 312 291 10 00; Email: tubaatan@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Virtual Reality-Assisted Forward Gait Training; Participants in this group will receive conventional rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language, and swallowing therapy, for six weeks (five days per week, approximately 2-3 hours per day). In addition, participants will undergo body weight-supported virtual reality-assisted forward gait training with 30% body weight support for six weeks (five days per week, 30 minutes per day).	Other: Virtual Reality-Assisted Gait Training; Body weight-supported virtual reality-assisted forward gait training with 30% body weight support, applied five days per week for six weeks.
Experimental: Backward Gait Training; Participants in this group will receive conventional rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language, and swallowing therapy, for six weeks (five days per week, approximately 2-3 hours per day). In addition, participants will undergo body weight-supported backward gait training with 30% body weight support for six weeks (five days per week, 30 minutes per day).	Other: Backward Gait Training; Body weight-supported backward gait training with 30% body weight support, applied five days per week for six weeks.
Experimental: Forward Gait Training; Participants in this group will receive conventional rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language, and swallowing therapy, for six weeks (five days per week, approximately 2-3 hours per day). In addition, participants will undergo body weight-supported forward gait training with 30% body weight support for six weeks (five days per week, 30 minutes per day).	Other: Forward Gait Training; Body weight-supported forward gait training with 30% body weight support, applied five days per week for six weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
10-Meter Walk Test	A measure used to assess patients' ambulation. During the test, the patient walks at a comfortable walking speed between two markers placed 10 meters apart, and the time required to complete the distance is recorded.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)	A submaximal exercise test commonly used to assess functional capacity and response to treatment. During the test, participants are instructed to walk as far as possible within six minutes. The total distance walked is recorded as an indicator of cardiopulmonary capacity and exercise tolerance.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Lower Extremity Motor Subscale	A standardized assessment used to evaluate sensorimotor impairment in individuals with stroke. The lower extremity motor subscale measures motor recovery and functional movement of the lower limb following stroke.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention
Functional Independence Measure (FIM)	A widely used assessment tool for evaluating functional abilities in individuals undergoing rehabilitation. The scale assesses both motor and cognitive domains, including self-care, sphincter control, transfers, mobility, communication, and social interaction.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)	A widely used clinical test for assessing static and dynamic balance abilities. The test consists of a series of functional balance tasks, each scored on a scale from 0 (unable) to 4 (independent), with the total score representing overall balance performance.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)	A brief cognitive screening tool used to assess cognitive functions, including memory, attention, language, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, calculation, and orientation. The test is scored on a 30-point scale, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL)	A standardized measure used to assess health-related quality of life in individuals with stroke, covering physical, emotional, and social domains affected by the condition.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)	A 14-item self-report questionnaire designed to assess the presence and severity of anxiety and depression symptoms in clinical populations.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Foot Rotation	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Foot rotation (foot progression angle) quantifies the angular deviation of the foot relative to the direction of walking, measured in degrees.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Step Width	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Step width measures the mediolateral distance between the heel centers of consecutive footfalls during walking.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Step Length	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Step length measures the anteroposterior distance between the heel contact point of one foot and the heel contact point of the contralateral foot during walking.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Stance Phase	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Stance phase represents the percentage of the gait cycle during which the foot remains in contact with the ground.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Swing Phase	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Swing phase represents the percentage of the gait cycle during which the foot is off the ground.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Double Stance	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Double stance represents the percentage of the gait cycle during which both feet are simultaneously in contact with the ground.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Gait Velocity	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Gait velocity measures the distance covered per unit time during walking, with reduced speed being one of the most sensitive indicators of hemiparetic gait impairment post-stroke.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Cadence	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Cadence measures the number of steps taken per minute during walking, reflecting the temporal coordination of the gait cycle	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Maximum Plantar Pressure	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Maximum plantar pressure measures the peak pressure exerted on the foot sole during the stance phase of gait.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Center of Pressure, Lateral Symmetry	Gait analysis will be performed using the Zebris RehaWalk® system. Center of Pressure (COP) Lateral Symmetry measures the mediolateral displacement of the center of pressure between the paretic and non-paretic limbs during walking, reported in millimeters.	At baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Tuğba ATAN, Associate Professor, MD, Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital; Study Chair: Bilge YILMAZ, Professor, MD, Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital; Study Director: Eda GÜRÇAY, Professor, MD, Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital; Study Director: Engin KOYUNCU, Professor, MD, Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 26, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 19, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: stroke; gait training
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Stroke
• Other Study ID Numbers: E2-25-13626

Drug and device information, study documents

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