High-intensity locomotor training during inpatient rehabilitation improves the discharge ambulation function of patients with stroke. A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence of high-intensity locomotor training on outcomes related to gait and balance for patients with stroke in inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: Four databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and MedLINE) for articles published prior to 13 June 2023. Studies of adults (>18 years old) with a diagnosis of stroke who received a high-intensity locomotor intervention while admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility were included. A functional outcome in the domain of gait speed, gait endurance, or balance must have been reported. Following the screening of 1052 studies, 43 were selected for full-text review. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the tool appropriate to the study type. Gait speed, gait endurance, and balance outcome data were extracted for further analysis.

Results: Eight studies were selected with risk of bias ratings as moderate (4), high (2), and low (2). Six studies were analyzed in the meta-analysis (N = 635). A random-effects model analyzed between-group differences. Standard mean differences demonstrated that high-intensity locomotor training produces a moderate effect on gait endurance (0.50) and gait speed (0.41) and a negligible effect on balance (0.08) compared with usual care.

Conclusions: The meta-analysis supports the use of high-intensity locomotor training over usual care for improving gait speed and gait endurance during inpatient post-stroke. Future studies should investigate dose-response relationships of high-intensity locomotor training in this setting.

Prospero registration: #CRD42022341329.