Importance of specificity, amount, and intensity of locomotor training to improve ambulatory function in patients poststroke.

AbstractThe majority of individuals poststroke recover the ability to walk overground, although residual impairments contribute to reduced walking speed, spatiotemporal asymmetries, inefficient gait, and limited walking activity in the home and community. A substantial number of studies have investigated the effects of various interventions on locomotor function in individuals poststroke; these studies vary widely in types of tasks practiced, the amount of practiced activities, and the intensity or workload during the intervention. In contrast, basic and applied studies have identified specific parameters of training that could be applied towards treatment of patients poststroke. More directly, the specificity, amount, and intensity of walking practice are thought to be critical variables of rehabilitation interventions that can facilitate plasticity of neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary systems and result in improved locomotor function. In the present commentary, we delineate the evidence and physiologica...