Incorporating higher-intensity walking into early stroke rehabilitation significantly improves patient outcomes, including mobility and quality of life; new research suggests that higher-intensity exercise, including walking, during the initial phase of stroke rehabilitation leads to better recovery outcomes.
A specific protocol called “Walk ‘n Watch” has been developed to increase the intensity of walking exercises in stroke rehabilitation.
This protocol has been successfully implemented in real-world rehabilitation settings, demonstrating its feasibility and effectiveness in improving patient mobility and quality of life. Patients who participate in this higher-intensity walking program show improvements in walking distance, speed, and overall quality.
The study also found that stroke patients in inpatient rehabilitation following the implementation of high-intensity stepping training took significantly more steps per day compared to those receiving usual care.
These improvements are not only statistically significant but also clinically meaningful, indicating a tangible difference in patients’ ability to walk and perform daily activities. Click to Walk n Watch for more.