Methods |
RCT in parallel‐group design Method of randomisation: drawing lots out of an envelope Blinding of outcome assessors: yes Adverse events: not reported Deaths: none Drop outs: none ITT: yes |
Participants |
Country: Taiwan 18 participants (10 in EXP group, 8 in CTL group) Mean age: 55 to 57 years (CTL and EXP group respectively) Inclusion criteria: diagnosis with unilateral hemiparesis due to stroke with < 6 months or > 12 months post stroke, being able to follow simple verbal commands Exclusion criteria: unstable medical conditions, history of other diseases interfering with the study, history of seizure, severe cardiovascular conditions/pacemaker |
Interventions |
4 arms:
EXP group 1 with patients < 6 months post stroke received body weight supported treadmill training for 30 minutes followed by 20 minutes general exercise programme, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 minutes per week)
CTL group 1 with patients < 6 months post stroke received the general exercise programme for 50 minutes, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 minutes per week)
EXP group 2 with patients > 12 months post stroke received body weight supported treadmill training for 30 minutes followed by 20 minutes general exercise programme, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 minutes per week)
CTL group 2 with patients > 12 months post stroke received the general exercise programme for 50 minutes, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (150 minutes per week)
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Outcomes |
Outcomes were recorded at baseline and at the end of the intervention phase Primary outcomes: motor threshold and cortical map size Secondary outcomes: lower limb function (FMA) |
Notes |
We combined the experimental groups and compared them with the combined controlled groups |
Risk of bias |
Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
Not described |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Drawing lots out of an envelope |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes |
Low risk |
Outcome assessor was blinded |