Perturbation training to promote safe independent mobility post-stroke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Table 1 Examples of voluntary tasks used in the perturbation training program

Week	Task type	Definition	Examples
1	Stable	Participants do not move their feet.	• Standing with eyes closed.
1	Stable	Participants do not move their feet.	• Shifting weight left/right or forward/back.
2-3	Quasi-mobile	Participants move their feet but remain ‘on the spot’.	• Rapid stepping forward and back.
2-3	Quasi-mobile	Participants move their feet but remain ‘on the spot’.	• ‘Walking’ in place.
4−5	Mobile	Participants move around the room.	• Walking forward or backward.
4−5	Mobile	Participants move around the room.	• Side stepping.
6	Mobile & unpredictable	Participants move around the room in ways they cannot predict.	• Kicking a soccer ball against a wall.
6	Mobile & unpredictable		• Walking with sudden stops and changes in direction.

Tasks are completed alone and with external postural perturbations. External perturbation methods include ‘lean and release’ perturbations where participants lean forward, backward, left or right on the physiotherapists hands and are released suddenly (during stable tasks); a push or pull from the physiotherapist; or a trip with the physiotherapists foot (during mobile tasks). Each task can be modified to increase or reduce the difficulty, depending on participants’ abilities

ISSN: 1471-2377