1,149
Views
4
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Verbal feedback enhances motor learning during post-stroke gait retraining

ORCID Icon, , , , &
Pages 362-377 | Received 25 May 2020, Accepted 27 Aug 2020, Published online: 18 Sep 2020
 

ABSTRACT

Background

Fast treadmill walking combined with functional electrical stimulation to ankle muscles (FastFES) is a well-studied gait intervention that improves post-stroke walking function. Although individualized verbal feedback is commonly incorporated during clinical gait training, and a variable practice structure is posited to enhance learning, the influence of these two factors on motor learning during locomotor interventions such as FastFES is poorly understood.

Objectives

To determine if the addition of individualized verbal feedback or variable practice to a FastFES training session enhances motor learning of targeted gait patterns.

Methods

Nine individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis completed a crossover study comprising exposure to 3 dose-matched types of gait training: (1) FastFES (FF), comprising five 6-minute bouts of training with intermittent FES, (2) FF with addition of individualized verbal instructions and faded feedback delivered by a physical therapist (FF+PT), (3) FF with variable gait speed and FES timing (FF+Var). Gait biomechanics data were collected before (Pre), immediately after (Post), and 24-h following (Retention) each training type. Within-session and retention change scores of 3 targeted gait variables were calculated to assess locomotor learning.

Results

FF+PT resulted in larger improvements within-session and at retention in trailing limb angle, and a trend for larger improvements in paretic pushoff compared to FF. FF+Var failed to show greater learning of biomechanical variables compared to FF.

Conclusions

Addition of individualized verbal feedback (FF+PT) to a single session of gait training may enhance within- and across-session learning of targeted gait variables in people post-stroke, and merits more investigation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NIH NICHD under grant numbers R01 HD095975 and K01 HD079584; and the American Heart Association (AHA) under Scientist Development Grant number 13SDG13320000.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 114.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.