A new study suggests that stroke survivors can improve their ability to walk and their overall quality of life by following a structured, progressively intense walking program alongside standard physical therapy. The findings were presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025.
Why Walking Matters for Stroke Recovery
Many stroke survivors struggle with walking, making it a key focus of rehabilitation. The American Stroke Association recommends that patients who can handle three hours of therapy a day should receive treatment at a specialized rehab center.
However, not all patients get the structured, high-intensity exercise needed for the best recovery.
Dr. Janice Eng, a stroke rehabilitation expert from the University of British Columbia, explained that increasing exercise intensity during rehabilitation is crucial.
“The brain has the greatest ability to heal and adapt in the first few months after a stroke,” she said. “Structured and progressively challenging exercise can help patients regain mobility faster.”
How the Study Was Conducted
The study involved 306 stroke survivors from 12 rehabilitation centers across Canada. On average, participants began rehabilitation one month after their stroke. At the start, each person took a six-minute walking test, where they could walk an average of 152 meters (498 feet), about two city blocks.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- Standard physical therapy (usual care)
- A new, progressively intense walking program
The walking program aimed to help participants gradually build strength and endurance. They were encouraged to engage in at least 30 minutes of weight-bearing and walking activities per day, increasing in intensity over time.
They wore fitness watches to track their heart rate and step count, with a goal of walking 2,000 steps at a moderate intensity during therapy sessions five days a week.
Results: Strong Improvements in Walking and Quality of Life
After four weeks of rehabilitation, researchers compared the progress of both groups. They found that participants in the intense walking program:
- Walked 43.6 meters (143 feet) farther on the six-minute test compared to those in the standard therapy group.
- Experienced significant improvements in balance, walking speed, and overall mobility.
- Reported a better quality of life compared to the standard therapy group.
Dr. Eng emphasized that a key achievement of this study was training all physical therapists at the 12 rehabilitation centers to follow the new walking program. “We wanted to see what happens when this approach is used as standard practice,” she said. “The results were very successful in real-world conditions.”
Why This Study Is Important
Dr. Preeti Raghavan, a stroke rehabilitation specialist at Johns Hopkins University who was not involved in the study, praised the research.
“Changing medical practice is difficult, but this study proves it can be done,” she said. “This program helped stroke survivors build endurance and regain movement at a critical stage in their recovery. The results are very promising.”
Limitations and Future Research
One limitation of the study was that participants needed to be able to take at least five steps, even with assistance. This means the program may not be suitable for people with more severe mobility issues.
Study Details
- 306 participants (average age: 68, including 188 men and 118 women)
- Conducted between 2020 and 2022
- Used a “Step Wedge” study design, meaning all rehab centers gradually implemented the new walking program
- Participants were, on average, 29 days post-stroke at the time of the study
- Therapists at each center were trained to follow the new protocol, ensuring the program became part of standard care
What This Means for Stroke Survivors
This study highlights the importance of structured and progressively challenging walking exercises in stroke recovery. Increasing the intensity of walking therapy helps patients regain strength, mobility, and independence faster.
For stroke survivors, this means that pushing to walk longer distances at a moderate intensity—under proper medical supervision—could make a big difference in recovery. If widely adopted, this approach could help thousands of stroke survivors regain mobility and improve their quality of life.
If you care about stroke, please read studies that diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk, and MIND diet could slow down cognitive decline after stroke.
For more health information, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce the risk of dementia, and tea and coffee may help lower your risk of stroke, dementia.
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