Investigating Effects of High-intensity Gait Training on Gait, Balance and Depression Post-stroke

Exclusion Criteria

• •Unable to follow 1-step commands
• •\> 220 pounds (100 kg)
• •Height \< 5'0" or \> 6'4"
• •Unable to take a few steps with assistance
• •A score of ≥ 50/56 on Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
• •A score of ≥ 26/30 on Functional Gait Assessment (FGA)
• •Resting blood pressure \>180/110 mmHg
• •Resting heart rate \> 120 bpm
• •Severe cardiac disease (New York Heart Association Classification IV)
• •Severe spasticity (Modified Ashworth score \> 3)
• •Unstable spine or unhealed pelvic/limb fractures
• •Active heterotrophic ossification impacting lower extremity range of motion
• •Significant lower or upper extremity contractures
• •Inability to achieve neutral ankle dorsiflexion with 12° of knee flexion
• •Pregnancy
• •Colostomy
• •Poor skin integrity
• •Unresolved deep vein thrombosis
• •Lower limb prosthesis or amputation
• •Leg length discrepancies \> 0.5 inches for upper legs, 0.75 inches for lower legs
• •ROM restrictions preventing normal, reciprocal gait
• •Inability to stand for \> 3 minutes due to pain or orthostatic hypotension
• •Pusher syndrome
• •Cortical blindness