Effectiveness of Task-Oriented Gait Training on Functional Ambulation in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: Gait impairment is a major cause of long-term disability after stroke, and conventional physiotherapy often yields limited restoration of community-level ambulation. Task-oriented gait training (TOGT), grounded in motor learning principles, may enhance functional walking by engaging patients in repetitive, goal-directed tasks that mimic real-world gait demands. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an eight-week TOGT program compared with conventional physiotherapy on functional ambulation in post-stroke patients. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 adults with subacute stroke were allocated to TOGT or conventional physiotherapy (30 per group). Both groups received supervised 45-minute sessions, five days per week for eight weeks. Outcomesincluding gait speed (primary), 6MWT distance, FAC, TUG, cadence, step symmetry, BBS, and mobility ratingwere assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: TOGT produced significantly greater gains in gait speed (+0.30 vs +0.16 m/s; between-group Δ=0.14 m/s, p<0.001), 6MWT distance (+100 vs +50 m, p<0.001), FAC (+1.4 vs +0.9, p=0.002), and TUG (−6.6 vs −3.9 s, p=0.004). Regression analysis showed TOGT independently predicted higher post-treatment gait speed (β=0.12, p<0.001). Conclusion: Task-oriented gait training is superior to conventional physiotherapy for improving multidimensional gait outcomes after stroke.