Obstacle training programme for individuals post stroke: feasibility study

Objective: The purposes were threefold: to develop an obstacle ambulation training programme, to recruit and retain individuals post chronic stroke and to assess the effectiveness of the obstacle ambulation training programme.Design: Intervention study; case series; baseline to post-intervention measures and one month follow-up after intervention.Setting: An outpatient department.Subjects: Five individuals with chronic stroke with mild to moderate functional limitations; convenience sample.Interventions: Therapy consisted of twice weekly sessions for four weeks during which subjects walked along a walkway and over obstacles.Main outcome measures: Motor Assessment Scale – walking section (MAS – time), Six-minute Walk Test distance, walking velocity, and Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement (SF-36).Results: Significant improvements were seen baseline to post intervention for walking velocity, Six-minute Walk Test, MAS and SF-36 physical function score (p £ 0.025 for all measures). Most improv...