FIRST-Oslo Long-term Follow-up

The intervention provided in this project is routinely delivered as a standard of care at the participating sites for patients after stroke that have a goal of walking improvement. The intervention consists of 45-60 minute, physical therapy sessions that occur five days per week (not weekends), focusing on prioritizing stepping practice at higher aerobic intensities during scheduled treatments (target training zone of 70-85% heart rate max (HRmax). Stepping is performed on treadmills and over ground, with safety harness systems and body weight support only as needed to ensure successful stepping. Tasks are progressed by increasing task difficulty as determined by the therapist. Accordingly, practice of non-walking tasks performed during physiotherapy, including bed mobility, transfers, and standing balance/ pre-gait activities, is limited.