StrokeNCT07601633
Split-Belt Gait Retraining in Subacute Stroke
A study testing Split-belt walking training in people with Stroke, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Although many individuals regain independent walking ability following stroke, nearly 50% experience persistent gait impairments characterized by asymmetrical walking patterns, slower walking speed, impaired balance, and increased fall risk. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke
- What is being tested?
- Split-belt walking training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2026to 1 Jul 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- unilateral stroke resulting in hemiparesis
- less than 9 months post-stroke
- ability to walk ten metres with or without walking aids
- ability to stand without support for five minutes
- English speaking
Who cannot join
- medically unfit to participate e.g. cardiac or respiratory disease limiting ability to perform walking tasks
- neuromuscular impairment, other than stroke, limiting mobility, e.g. ankle sprain, joint disease such as severe arthritis
- cognitive/communication impairment impacting ability to follow instructions
- diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety disorders requiring medication
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Beier Lin contact
Canada1 site
GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 2G9
Beier Lin, 2508997489, beierlin@student.ubc.ca
About this study
Official title: Physiotherapist-Led Split-Belt Treadmill Gait Retraining for Individuals With Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Although many individuals regain independent walking ability following stroke, nearly 50% experience persistent gait impairments characterized by asymmetrical walking patterns, slower walking speed, impaired balance, and increased fall risk. These persistent mobility limitations highlight the continued need for innovative rehabilitation strategies that improve gait function during stroke recovery. Split-belt treadmill walking (SBTW), in which each leg walks at a different belt speed, has demonstrated potential to improve step length symmetry in individuals with chronic stroke. However, the effects of SBTW during the subacute stage of stroke recovery, within the first 9 months post-stroke when neuroplasticity may be heightened, remain largely unknown. In addition, previous SBTW studies have not integrated active physiotherapist-led gait retraining into the intervention, despite physiotherapist-led gait rehabilitation representing standard clinical care following stroke. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare physiotherapist-led gait retraining using a traditional treadmill training protocol to physiotherapist-led gait retraining integrated with a split-belt treadmill training protocol during the first 9 months post-stroke. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of the use of split-belt treadmill training to augment physiotherapist-led gait retraining to improve between-leg gait symmetry and overground walking speed.
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Being tested
- Split-belt walking training
- Keywords
- split-belt walking
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Split-belt walking trainingBehavioural
Participants randomized to the split-belt training group will complete 12 sessions of split-belt treadmill walking training over 4 weeks, delivered 3 times per week. Training will be performed on an instrumented split-belt treadmill and will include split-belt and tied-belt walking conditions. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Split-belt treadmill training | Experimental | Participants will complete 12 gait training sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) on an instrumented split-belt treadmill involving both split-belt and tied-belt walking conditions. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each training session. Receives: Behavioral: Split-belt walking training |
| Traditional treadmill training | No intervention | Participants will complete 12 gait training sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) on an instrumented treadmill under tied-belt walking conditions only. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each training session. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Step length symmetry
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up
Self-selected gait speeds
Self-selected gait speeds at both comfortable and fast speed will be measured by overground 10 meter walk tests
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 May 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jan 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of British ColumbiaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Courtney Pollock, University of British Columbia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07601633
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H21-02171
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 15 May 2026
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: IPD that underlie results in a publication will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Physiotherapist-Led Split-Belt Treadmill Gait Retraining for Individuals With Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07601633
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- H21-02171
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Keywords
- split-belt walking
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in adults. Although many individuals regain independent walking ability following stroke, nearly 50% experience persistent gait impairments characterized by asymmetrical walking patterns, slower walking speed, impaired balance, and increased fall risk. These persistent mobility limitations highlight the continued need for innovative rehabilitation strategies that improve gait function during stroke recovery. Split-belt treadmill walking (SBTW), in which each leg walks at a different belt speed, has demonstrated potential to improve step length symmetry in individuals with chronic stroke. However, the effects of SBTW during the subacute stage of stroke recovery, within the first 9 months post-stroke when neuroplasticity may be heightened, remain largely unknown. In addition, previous SBTW studies have not integrated active physiotherapist-led gait retraining into the intervention, despite physiotherapist-led gait rehabilitation representing standard clinical care following stroke. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare physiotherapist-led gait retraining using a traditional treadmill training protocol to physiotherapist-led gait retraining integrated with a split-belt treadmill training protocol during the first 9 months post-stroke. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of the use of split-belt treadmill training to augment physiotherapist-led gait retraining to improve between-leg gait symmetry and overground walking speed.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Split-belt treadmill training | Experimental | Behavioral: Split-belt walking trainingParticipants will complete 12 gait training sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) on an instrumented split-belt treadmill involving both split-belt and tied-belt walking conditions. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each training session. |
| Traditional treadmill training | No intervention | –Participants will complete 12 gait training sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) on an instrumented treadmill under tied-belt walking conditions only. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each training session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- unilateral stroke resulting in hemiparesis
- less than 9 months post-stroke
- ability to walk ten metres with or without walking aids
- ability to stand without support for five minutes
- English speaking
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- medically unfit to participate e.g. cardiac or respiratory disease limiting ability to perform walking tasks
- neuromuscular impairment, other than stroke, limiting mobility, e.g. ankle sprain, joint disease such as severe arthritis
- cognitive/communication impairment impacting ability to follow instructions
- diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety disorders requiring medication
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Split-belt walking trainingParticipants randomized to the split-belt training group will complete 12 sessions of split-belt treadmill walking training over 4 weeks, delivered 3 times per week. Training will be performed on an instrumented split-belt treadmill and will include split-belt and tied-belt walking conditions. A physiotherapist will provide gait retraining during each session. | Behavioural | Split-belt treadmill training |
Primary outcome
Step length symmetry
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up
Self-selected gait speeds
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up
Self-selected gait speeds at both comfortable and fast speed will be measured by overground 10 meter walk tests
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. IPD that underlie results in a publication will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Beier Lin contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Split-belt walking training in people with Stroke, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Courtney Pollock, PT PhD (604-714-4117, courtney.pollock@ubc.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Step length symmetry (time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2026.