Higher-Intensity Walking Improves Early Stroke Recovery, Canadian Study Finds

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have demonstrated that incorporating a structured, higher-intensity walking program during stroke rehabilitation can measurably improve patient outcomes, offering new insights into neurological recovery strategies.

The study, conducted across 12 stroke units in Canada, involved 306 stroke patients who were, on average, one month post-stroke. Participants were randomized into two groups: one receiving standard physical therapy and another implementing a progressive walking intervention designed to increase exercise intensity over time.

The progressive walking protocol required patients to engage in 30 minutes of daily weight-bearing activities, with the goal of achieving 2,000 steps at moderate heart rate intensity during five weekly physical therapy sessions. Participants wore activity-tracking watches to monitor heart rate and step count, ensuring safe and measured exercise progression.

Results demonstrated significant improvements in the progressive walking group. Patients experienced a 43.6-meter increase in six-minute walk test performance compared to the standard care group. Additionally, participants showed notable enhancements in quality of life, balance, mobility, and gait speed.

Study co-author Dr. Janice Eng emphasized the critical nature of early rehabilitation, noting that the first few months after a stroke represent a crucial period for neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to heal and adapt. By implementing structured, progressively challenging exercises, stroke survivors can potentially optimize their recovery trajectory.

The research highlights the importance of challenging traditional rehabilitation approaches and integrating more dynamic, personalized exercise protocols. By training front-line therapists to implement this new protocol, the study demonstrated that meaningful practice changes are possible within clinical settings.

While the study showed promising results, researchers acknowledged limitations, including the requirement that participants be able to take at least five steps, potentially excluding more severely impacted stroke survivors.

This innovative approach offers hope for stroke survivors, suggesting that targeted, progressive exercise interventions can play a crucial role in improving rehabilitation outcomes and enhancing patients' quality of life during early recovery stages.