A Novel Strategy to Decrease Fall Incidence Post-Stroke

Backward Walking Training will occur both on a treadmill and overground. In brief, BWTraining will consist of 20-30 minutes of step training with a Body Weight Support and Treadmill system (BWST), rest periods provided as warranted, with manual assistance provided by trainers, followed by 15 minutes of overground gait training. A 20-30 min period of actual stepping is the goal for the intervention sessions on the treadmill with rest periods as needed. Each training session may last up to 1 hour and 30 minutes including time for warm-up, stretching, and cool down. Participants will be fitted with a harness around their hips and torso, which will be attached to an overhead support system directly above the treadmill. From a stationary position, the treadmill belt will gradually be increased in speed with intervention trainers assisting participant to step backward with their paretic leg, their non-paretic leg (if needed) and at the hips for weight-shift.