• Clare C Bassile, Catherine Dean, Bernadette Boden-Albala, and Ralph Sacco.
• Columbia University, Program in Physical Therapy, New York, New York, USA.
• Clin Rehabil. 2003 Mar 1;17(2):130-6.

ObjectiveThe purposes were threefold: to develop an obstacle ambulation training programme, to recruit and retain individuals post chronic stroke and to assess the effectiveness of the obstacle ambulation training programme.DesignIntervention study; case series; baseline to post-intervention measures and one month follow-up after intervention.SettingAn outpatient department.SubjectsFive individuals with chronic stroke with mild to moderate functional limitations; convenience sample.InterventionsTherapy consisted of twice weekly sessions for four weeks during which subjects walked along a walkway and over obstacles.Main Outcome MeasuresMotor Assessment Scale--walking section (MAS--time), Six-minute Walk Test distance, walking velocity, and Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement (SF-36).ResultsSignificant improvements were seen baseline to post intervention for walking velocity, Six-minute Walk Test, MAS and SF-36 physical function score (p < or = 0.025 for all measures). Most improvements noted at the end of training were retained one month later. The effect sizes ranged from 0.33 to 1.20.ConclusionsSubstantial improvement in ambulation function and disability level were seen as a result of the obstacle training programme for individuals with chronic stroke. Further investigation is warranted.

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