Effect of Different Exercises on the Gait Ability of Stroke Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 9 types of exercise interventions on gait performance in stroke patients. METHODS: The methodology involved conducting computerized searches of databases such as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science to collect relevant literature on improving gait performance in stroke patients. The search period spanned from January 2000 to March 2024. After screening and extracting data from the literature, the quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook. Data analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 and STATA software. RESULTS: The analysis included 32 studies with 1181 participants aged 18 or older. Results from network meta-analysis indicated that Task-Oriented Training substantially improved gait performance in stroke patients (84.2%), followed by Action observational training (76.3%), Walking intervention (65.4%), Cycling training (63.2%), High-intensity interval training (52.8%), Treadmill training (50.8%), Multicomponent exercise (41.7%), Balance training (39.8%), and Virtual reality training (VRT) (15.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggested that Task-oriented training was the most substantial improvement in gait ability among the 9 therapies, followed by action observational training and walking intervention.