Can augmented physiotherapy input enhance recovery of mobility after stroke? A randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to discover if the provision of additional inpatient physiotherapy after stroke speeds the recovery of mobility. A multisite single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effects of augmented physiotherapy input with normal input on the recovery of mobility after stroke was conducted. Primary outcomes were mobility milestones (ability to stand, step and walk), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and walking speed. A modest augmented physiotherapy programme resulted in patients having more direct physiotherapy time and being more active. The inability to show statistically significant changes in outcome measures could indicate either that this intervention is ineffective or that our study could not detect modest changes.