Luft 2008

Methods	RCT Method of randomisation: computer‐based list Blinding of outcome assessors: stated as 'yes' by the investigator Adverse events: not stated Deaths: not stated Drop outs: 42 (20 in EXP group, 22 in CTL group) ITT: no
Participants	Country: USA 113 participants (57 in EXP group, 56 in CTL group) Ambulatory at study onset Mean age: 64 to 63 years (CTL and EXP group respectively) Inclusion criteria: first clinical ischaemic stroke, older than 45 years of age with chronic hemiparetic gait 6 or more months after completion of conventional subacute rehabilitation Exclusion criteria: heart failure, unstable angina, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, dementia (MMSE ≤ 23 for those with 9th grade education or more and ≤ 17 for those with 8th grade education or less), significant aphasia (unable to follow 2‐point commands), untreated major depression (CES‐D 16) and other medical conditions precluding participation in aerobic exercise
Interventions	2 arms: treadmill training sessions (training goal was 3 x 40‐minute exercise sessions per week at an aerobic intensity of 60% of heart rate reserve. Duration and intensity started low (10 to 20 minutes, 40% to 50% heart rate reserve) and increased approximately 5 minutes and 5% heart rate reserve every 2 weeks as tolerated stretching sessions (performed 13 supervised traditional stretching movements on a raised mat table with a therapist’s assistance) over a 6‐month period
Outcomes	Assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months: maximum walking velocity and VO2 peak during a treadmill stress test maximum comfortable walking velocity during a 10‐metre walk and a 6‐Minute Walk Test)
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐based list
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	High risk	Not described
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Blinded assessors