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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01573585

Fast Muscle Activation and Stepping Training (FAST) Post-stroke

The purpose of this study is to determine whether FAST (Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training) exercises will improve walking balance in individuals after stroke to a greater extent than usual care.

Hypothesis: The primary hypothesis is that improvements in walking balance will be larger following 12 sessions of FAST exercise retraining compared to usual care in persons in the sub-acute phase after stroke.

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Key information

Conditions

Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Hemiparesis Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Paresis Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Vascular Diseases

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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About this study

It is estimated that 75-80% of individuals who have had a stroke will survive the acute event and be left with residual disability. Regaining independence in standing and walking is of utmost importance for patients recovering from stroke. Walking balance requires muscles in the legs and trunk to contract quickly if people lose their balance. Physical therapy plays a key role in the rehabilitation of walking balance in individuals after stroke. Given that maintaining one's balance requires fast muscle activity, rehabilitation post-stroke should focus on speed of movement. Thus we are proposing to compare a program that emphasizes speed of movement, Fast muscle Activation and Stepping Training versus an active control (usual care).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Study population: Subjects with a diagnosis of stroke

Inclusion criteria

  • first stroke (<6 months ago)
  • presence of hemiparesis in the lower extremity
  • minimum Berg Balance Score (BBS) of 30/56
  • cognitive ability to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • bilateral stroke, or a previous stroke in the other hemisphere
  • severe co-morbidity that is likely to dominate the pattern of care
  • co-existing peripheral neuropathies or disorders of the vestibular apparatus
  • musculoskeletal problems
  • global aphasia or receptive aphasia

Treatment and study plan

Usual Care

Behavioral

The Usual Care program will consist of 2 sessions a week for 45 minutes for a 6 week duration.

FAST protocol

Behavioral

The Fast muscle activation and Stepping Training (FAST protocol) will be exercises emphasizing speed, small squats and protective steps, that will be progressed. This program will be 2 sessions a week for 45 minutes for 6 weeks in duration.

Primary outcomes

  1. Community Balance and Mobility Scale

    Time frame: Pre treatment and Post treatment (6 weeks)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Gait assessment

    Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)

    Self selected speed and changes in electromyography

  2. Physiological balance assessment by internal and external perturbations

    Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)

    Electromyography and Center of pressure changes

  3. Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale

    Time frame: Pre treatment, Post treatment (6 weeks) and Retention (+1 month after treatment)

  4. Community Balance and Mobility Scale

    Time frame: Post treatment and Retention (+1 month after treatment)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Collaborators

  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Fast Muscle Activation and Stepping Training (FAST) on Balance and Mobility Post-stroke

Acronym: FAST

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Apr 9, 2012
Registry last updated
May 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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