A structured walking program that gradually increases in intensity, combined with standard physical therapy, can significantly improve mobility and quality of life for stroke survivors, according to a preliminary study set to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025.
Regaining the ability to walk is a key part of recovery for many stroke patients. The American Stroke Association’s 2016 guidelines recommend that medically stable survivors who can participate in three hours of therapy per day, five days a week, receive inpatient rehabilitation.
However, experts say that many rehab programs still don’t use walking exercises that are challenging enough to maximize recovery.
“Structured and progressively more challenging exercise, supported by wearable devices to monitor intensity, helps ensure patients reach safe but effective levels of exertion,” said study coauthor Janice Eng, Ph.D., a stroke rehabilitation specialist at the University of British Columbia.
“The first couple of months after a stroke are when the brain is most able to adapt and heal. Our study shows that this type of exercise can produce real benefits during that critical window.”
The study was conducted in 12 stroke units across Canada and included 306 people who were, on average, one month out from either an ischemic (clot-caused) or hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. At the start, participants were able to walk an average of 152 meters (498 feet) in six minutes—about two city blocks.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either standard physical therapy or a new, higher-intensity walking protocol. The new program aimed for at least 30 minutes of weight-bearing and walking exercises daily, with the difficulty increasing over time.
Patients wore a watch that tracked heart rate and steps, with the goal of reaching 2,000 steps and maintaining moderate heart rate levels during therapy sessions, five days a week.
The trial found that those in the high-intensity walking group improved their six-minute walk distance by about 43.6 meters (143 feet) more than those receiving standard care. They also showed greater improvements in quality of life, balance, mobility, and walking speed.
What made this trial stand out is that all therapists in the stroke units were trained to deliver the protocol as part of everyday care. “We wanted to see if this could work in real-world rehab settings, and it did,” Eng said.
Dr. Preeti Raghavan, who was not involved in the study but chairs the American Stroke Association Rehab and Recovery committee, called the findings “very positive,” noting that the approach helped increase endurance and reduce disability at a critical stage of recovery.
The main limitation of the study was that participants had to be able to take at least five steps, even if assisted, so those unable to walk at all were not included.
The researchers hope these results will encourage wider adoption of progressive, high-intensity walking programs in stroke rehabilitation units, helping more patients regain mobility and independence.
If you care about stroke, please read studies about Half of people with heart rhythm diseases dying of heart attack, stroke and findings of New method reduces heart attacks and strokes over five years.
If you care about stroke, please read studies about Blood thinner drug prevents strokes in hidden heart issues and findings of Intensive blood pressure treatments could prevent stroke in older adults.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
