Effects of task-oriented circuit class training on walking ability after stroke: a meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Physical Therapy
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Stroke often leads to gait dysfunction, impacting mobility and quality of life.
• Task-oriented circuit class training (CCT) is a promising rehabilitation strategy for post-stroke gait impairment.
• Existing research on CCT's efficacy presents inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of task-oriented CCT for post-stroke gait dysfunction.
• To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CCT's impact on lower limb function.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE up to February 25, 2025.
• Inclusion of RCTs assessing lower limb functional outcomes in stroke patients, published in English.
• Meta-analysis of 12 RCTs (652 patients) using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 18.0.

Main Results:

• Task-oriented CCT demonstrated significant improvements in the 6-min walk test (MD=57.88m), Timed Up-and-Go test (MD=-1.74s), and gait speed (MD=0.13m/s).
• Subgroup analysis showed benefits for patients within 3 months post-stroke with increased training frequency (≥3/week).
• For patients >3 months post-stroke, higher frequency (≥3/week) or longer sessions (≥1h) improved 6-min walk distance and TUG performance.

Conclusions:

• Task-oriented CCT is an effective intervention for enhancing walking ability in stroke survivors.
• Findings support the integration of CCT into standard post-stroke rehabilitation protocols.
• Further large-scale, multicenter RCTs are recommended to optimize training components and timing.