Tong 2006

Methods	RCT Randomisation was done by computer‐generated random numbers Blinding of outcome assessors: no (except for Barthel Index and Functional Independence Measure Scores, which were performed by nurses who were blinded in this study) Adverse events: 2 (none in experimental group, 2 in control group) Deaths: none Drop‐outs: 4 (none in experimental group, 4 in control group) ITT: yes
Participants	Country: Hong Kong, China 50 participants (15 in treatment group A, 15 in treatment group B, 20 in control group) Non‐ambulatory at study onset Mean age: 68 years Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of first ischaemic brain injury or intracerebral haemorrhage shown by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography less than 6 weeks after onset of stroke; sufficient cognition to follow simple instructions and understand the content and purpose of the study (Mini Mental State Examination score > 21); ability to stand upright, supported or unsupported, for 1 minute; significant gait deficit (FAC score < 3); no skin allergy to electrical stimulation Exclusion criteria: recurrent stroke; other neurological, medical or psychological deficit or condition that would affect ambulation ability or compliance with study protocol (such as Parkinson's disease, major depression, pain, cardiac arrhythmias); aphasia with an inability to follow 2 consecutive step commands or a cognitive deficit; or severe hip, knee, or ankle contracture that would preclude passive range of motion of the leg
Interventions	3 arms: Gait trainer Gait trainer + functional electrical stimulation Conventional physiotherapy alone The study consisted of 1 training session per weekday for 4 weeks Experimental groups (1) and (2) underwent gait training for 20 minutes, with body weight support by an electromechanical gait trainer; Group (2) also received functional electrical stimulation to the paretic lower limb during gait training Participants in Group (3) received physiotherapy overground gait training based on the principles of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Bobath concepts
Outcomes	5‐Metre walking speed test Elderly Mobility Scale Berg Balance Scale Functional Ambulatory Category Motricity Index leg subscale Functional Independence Measure instrument score Barthel Index score
Notes	Published and unpublished data provided by the authors
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐generated random numbers
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Concealed
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Yes for primary outcome
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	ITT done; unclear