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. 2013 Jul 25;2013(7):CD006185. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006185.pub3

Dias 2006

Methods RCT Method of randomisation: permuted block randomisation Blinding of outcome assessors: stated as blinded Adverse events: none stated Deaths: none Drop‐outs: none ITT: not stated but probably done because there were no drop‐outs
Participants Country: Portugal 40 participants (20 in treatment group, 20 in control group) Ambulatory at start of study Mean age: 69 years Inclusion criteria: first‐ever stroke patients > 12 months after stroke; age > 18 and < 80 years; cognitive (Mini Mental State Examination > 19) and communication capacities of understanding the treatment; absence of cardiac, psychological and orthopaedic contraindications Exclusion criteria: not stated
Interventions 2 arms:

  • Control group used the Bobath method, 5 times a week for 5 weeks

  • Experimental group used the Gait Trainer for the same time and frequency
Outcomes Outcomes were recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks and 3 months later

  • Motricity Index

  • Toulouse Motor Scale

  • Modified Ashworth Scale

  • Berg Balance Scale

  • Rivermead Motor Score

  • Fugl‐Meyer Stroke Scale (lower limb and balance)

  • FAC

  • Barthel Index

  • 10 metre walking test and gait cycle parameters

  • Timed Up and Go test

  • 6 minute walking distance test

  • Step test


After study end and at follow‐up, participants rated satisfaction with and efficiency of treatment in a self‐questionnaire (Likert scale)
Notes Published and unpublished data provided by the authors
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias) Unclear risk Unclear
Allocation concealment (selection bias) Low risk Central allocation
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes High risk Not done
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes Low risk No missing outcome data