Acceptability and deliverability of an auditory rhythmical cueing (ARC) training programme for use at home and outdoors to improve gait and physical activity post-stroke.
Patricia McCue, Lisa Shaw, Silvia Del Din and 6 others
PMID 34983687WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors safely completed a home and outdoor gait training programme using a low-cost metronome.
They found the exercises easy to follow, felt safe, and all would recommend the programme, though it did not measure actual walking improvements.
Key findings
01The home and outdoor auditory rhythmical cueing programme was deliverable and acceptable to both stroke survivors and therapists.
02All twelve participants completed the six supervised sessions, and ten completed all twelve self-managed sessions.
03Three falls occurred outside training times, including one serious adverse event after the programme ended.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study had only 12 participants and did not randomise them, so it cannot show if the treatment works. The two providers delivering the programme were also the researchers, which may have biased their positive feedback. The study did not measure walking speed or distance, only whether participants felt safe and could follow the instructions. Participants were required to walk independently indoors, so results do not apply to those with more severe mobility impairments.
Declared interests
Funded by Stroke Association UK.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this programme improves walking. The study measured whether patients could do the exercises at home and felt safe, not whether their gait actually got better.