Feasibility of Focused Stepping Practice During Inpatient Rehabilitation Poststroke and Potential Contributions to Mobility Outcomes

Background. Optimal physical therapy strategies to maximize locomotor function in patients early poststroke are not well established. Emerging data indicate that substantial amounts of task-specific stepping practice may improve locomotor function, although stepping practice provided during inpatient rehabilitation is limited (<300 steps/session). Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of providing focused stepping training to patients early poststroke and its potential association with walking and other mobility outcomes. Methods. Daily stepping was recorded on 201 patients <6 months poststroke (80% < 1 month) during inpatient rehabilitation following implementation of a focused training program to maximize stepping practice during clinical physical therapy sessions. Primary outcomes included distance and physical assistance required during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Retrospective data analysis included multiple regre...