Very Intensive Early Walking in Stroke

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of intensive locomotor interventions early post stroke. An intensive locomotor training (LT) program will be compared to an active control, conventional physical therapy. It is proposed that an early and intensive stepping paradigm that is not typically employed early in physical therapy will lead to superior outcomes and improved community mobility. A randomized, blinded, controlled trial will test subjects with moderate to severe locomotor dysfunction in individuals post-stroke to compare walking-related outcomes after intensive gait training (including treadmill, overground, stair training, and skilled walking training) to outcomes after conventional physical therapy.