Treadmill walking to improve walking and fitness following stroke: a single blinded pilot randomised controlled trial.

INTERVENTION: Treadmill walking ‐ 30 minute sessions, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Total dose of treadmill walking 9 hours. Participants will receive usual physiotherapy and rehabilitation during this time. CONDITION: People with stroke PRIMARY OUTCOME: Joint angles during overground walking Spatial temporal gait variables of walking speed, usual and fast measured by GAITRite. Walking capacity as measured by distance walked in 6 minutes SECONDARY OUTCOME: 6 minute walk test distance Walking quality as measured by Visual analogue scale. peak oxygen uptake during 6 minute walk test. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Diagnosis of stroke Medically stable Able to walk independently prior to stroke Are referred for physiotherapy Have gait deficits on initial assessment Have sufficient cognition and communication to understand the purpose of the study and give informed consent or mini mental state exam >22 Attain a score of at least 3 on Motor Assessment Scale, Walking Able to walk on the treadmill with or without assistance of 1 person