Gait Characteristics at Different Speeds in Individuals With Stroke

NCT ID: NCT07114575

Last Updated: 2025-08-11

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 12 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-08-01

Brief Summary

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death combined with disability worldwide. Despite improved recognition and management of stroke risk factors, the risk of stroke has increased by 50% in the last two decades due to increased life expectancy, currently affecting one in every four individuals. If this trend continues, by 2030, it is estimated that 12 million people will die from stroke, and 70 million will live with its consequences.

Stroke leads to significant changes in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Spatial parameters include step length, stride length, and step width, while temporal parameters comprise cadence, stance phase, double support phase (DSP), and swing phase. Gait speed, incorporating both spatial and temporal elements, is classified as a spatiotemporal parameter. Compared to healthy individuals, people post-stroke tend to have increased DSP and stance phases, shortened step lengths, and widened step widths. Asymmetries between the paretic and non-paretic limbs further disrupt gait symmetry.

Previous studies have shown that during prolonged walking tasks such as the 6-minute walk test, both gait speed and symmetry deteriorate in the later stages, potentially due to fatigue. However, changes in walking speed itself may also influence gait symmetry. From this perspective, the aim of this study is to investigate how spatiotemporal gait parameters vary across different walking speeds in individuals with stroke.

Detailed Description

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, with increasing prevalence due to longer life expectancy, despite improved recognition and management of risk factors. Stroke-related impairments, particularly in gait, significantly affect individuals' independence and quality of life. Post-stroke gait is commonly characterized by altered spatiotemporal parameters, including reduced step length, increased double support phase, asymmetry between paretic and non-paretic limbs, and reduced walking speed.

This descriptive study aims to investigate how different walking speeds affect the spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with stroke. Specifically, the study will examine walking at comfortable, slow (-25%), and fast (+25%) speeds using an instrumented treadmill (C-Mill). The target population includes adult individuals (18+) diagnosed with hemiplegia (ICD-10: G81), who are able to ambulate with or without assistance (Functional Ambulation Classification ≥2).

Spatiotemporal gait parameters, including step length, step width, cadence, stance and swing phases, and double support time, will be collected for both paretic and non-paretic limbs. These parameters will be assessed at three different walking speeds. In addition to gait analysis, functional status will be evaluated using the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the lower extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE). Demographic and clinical information will also be recorded.

Participants will first walk at their comfortable speed to familiarize themselves with the treadmill and to determine baseline parameters. After a 2-minute warm-up walk, a 2-minute data collection phase will follow. The same procedure will be repeated at the slow and fast walking speeds. Gait symmetry and changes in temporal-spatial parameters across walking speeds will be analyzed to explore the influence of speed variation, particularly regarding the mechanisms underlying gait asymmetry and fatigue.

This research will provide insight into how walking speed modulates gait parameters in stroke survivors and may contribute to developing more targeted gait training strategies in neurorehabilitation.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Self Selected Speed

Participants in this group will perform the gait analysis at their preferred comfortable walking speed.

Gait Analysis

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants will undergo gait analysis at three different walking speeds.

Slow Walking Speed

Participants in this group will walk at a speed approximately 25% slower than their comfortable walking speed.

Gait Analysis

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants will undergo gait analysis at three different walking speeds.

Fast Walking Speed

Participants in this group will walk at a speed approximately 25% faster than their comfortable walking speed.

Gait Analysis

Intervention Type: OTHER

All participants will undergo gait analysis at three different walking speeds.

Interventions

Gait Analysis

All participants will undergo gait analysis at three different walking speeds.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Having an ICD-10 diagnosis code of G.81 Hemiplegia
• Ability to walk with or without assistance (Functional Ambulation Classification score of 2 or higher)

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of any known additional neurological or orthopedic condition that may affect walking
• Inability to complete the tests due to cognitive and/or physical reasons
• Inability to complete the analysis at walking speeds increased or decreased by 25%

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Murat Akıncı

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital

Ankara, None Selected, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Murat Akıncı

Role: CONTACT

muratakinci.fzt@gmail.com

+905529356978

Facility Contacts

Murat Akıncı

Role: primary

muratakinci.fzt@gmail.com

05529356978

Other Identifiers

VR01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id