Implementing High-Intensity Gait Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Real-World Pragmatic Approach
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Study Design and Setting
2.2. Participating Clinicians and Patients
2.3. Implementation Framework and Phases
2.4. Pre-Implementation Phase: Monitoring Usual Care, Implementation of Standardized Assessments, and Fidelity Metrics
2.5. Implementation of HIT
2.6. Barrier and Facilitator Identification
2.7. Selection of KT Interventions
2.8. Ethics Approval
2.9. Data Collection and Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Fidelity Metrics
3.2. Barriers and Facilitators
4. Discussion
Limitations
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Pre-Implementation Phase Activities | ||
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Activity | Description | Results |
Education about HIT | The stroke team leader attended a regional rehabilitation conference and learned about HIT in an educational session | Team leaders were interested in learning more about HIT and possibly implementing HIT in practice |
Engage leaders | Meetings between the stroke team leader, the PT department leader, and executives (CEO/CFO) about the benefits of HIT | Organizational leaders endorsed and supported the implementation of HIT |
Engage clinical team | The stroke and PT leaders presented the potential HIT implementation project to the clinical team. Discussions included HIT feasibility, supporting evidence, and potential implications of using HIT. | The clinical team came to a consensus and agreed to implement HIT in stroke rehabilitation |
KTA Phase during Pre-Implementation | Methods for Each Phase | Results |
Phase 1: Identify Problem, Determine the Know–Do Gap, Identify, Review, and Select Knowledge | Informal discussions: Clinicians and managers reviewed evidence and selected a specific HIT protocol for implementation | Current practice is described as including several interventions to address gait-related impairments; Selected HIT protocol as described by Holleran et al., 2014 [7] |
Phase 2: Adapt Knowledge to Local Context |
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Phase 3: Assess Barriers and Facilitators for Knowledge Use |
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Phase 4a: Select and Tailor KT Interventions |
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KTA Phase—Implementation | Methods for Each Phase | Results |
Phase 4b: Implement KT Interventions |
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Phase 5: Monitor Knowledge Use |
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KTA Phase—Competency | Methods for Each Phase | Results |
Phase 6: Evaluate Outcomes |
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Phase 7: Sustain Knowledge Use |
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Term | Definition | Calculation |
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Coverage | The percentage of eligible patients who were offered high-intensity gait training (HIT). | (Number of patients offered HIT ÷ Number of eligible patients) × 100 |
Average daily stepping | Number of steps taken per weekday during the rehabilitation stay. | Total number of steps, counted only during the weekdays |
Steps per session | Number of steps taken during each physiotherapy (PT) session. | Total steps taken during PT sessions |
Min stepping per session | Number of minutes spent stepping during each session. | Total minutes with ≥10 steps/min during PT sessions |
Average stepping rate | Number of steps per minute during stepping time in each session. | Mean stepping rate for minutes with at least 10 steps during PT sessions |
Steps for 60 min sessions | Equivalent number of steps taken if the session was 60 min in duration. | Steps during PT session/session duration (min) × 60 (min) |
Minutes stepping for 60 min sessions | Equivalent number of minutes stepping if the session was 60 min in duration. | Min stepping during PT session/session duration (min) × 60 (min) |
Session duration | Total time scheduled for the physical therapy session. | Average or median of documented minutes the patient was scheduled for PT |
HR max | Maximum heart rate achieved during the session. | Average or median of highest recorded HR during session |
HR avg | Average heart rate recorded during the session. | Average HR over all PT sessions |
Total time in HR zone | Total minutes spent at ≥70% HRmax | Average or median of the total minutes in target zone per session |
% session in the target HR zone | Percentage of the therapy session spent at ≥70% HRmax | (Minutes in HR zone ÷ session duration) × 100% |
RPE max | Highest perceived exertion rating reported during the session (scale 6–20). | Average or median of highest RPE score reported |
Total time in RPE zone | Total minutes at RPE ≥ 14. | Total minutes RPE ≥ 14 per session |
% session in the target RPE zone | Percentage of the scheduled therapy time spent at RPE ≥ 14. | (Minutes in RPE zone ÷ session duration) × 100% |
Pre-Implementation 2020–2021 Measuring Characteristics of Care and Outcomes and Preparation for Implementing HIT | ||||
Month/Year | CFIR Domain | CFIR Construct | Barrier Description | Implementation Strategy |
December 2019 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Variation in administration procedures for outcome measures across therapists | Conducted meetings with therapists to standardize test protocols. Created a testing station with standard equipment and scheduled bi-annual practical testing within the PT team. PTs completed a course on the use of measurement tools and outcomes in rehabilitation offered by RKR |
January 2020 | Inner Setting | Materials and Equipment | Necessary equipment for safe gait training | Acquired equipment, including a treadmill with harness system, a rail for harness-assisted overground walking and blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitors for each PT |
October 2021 | Innovation | Innovation Design | Difficulty carrying essential items during treatments (e.g., HR monitors, BP cuffs, and documentation tools) | Introduced the use of fanny packs, enabling hands-free access to equipment and patients. Each PT was provided with personal BP and HR monitors |
October 2021 | Innovation | Innovation Complexity | StepWatch placed wrong or forgotten | Created a poster to illustrate instructions in patient rooms and nursing offices. Reminders were included in nurses’ daily checklist and the treatment protocol of PTs |
November 2021 | Inner Setting | Structural Characteristics—Physical Infrastructure | Risk of falling during corridor walking tests due to sudden door openings during the 6MWT | Warning signs during testing. Staff became used to exercise caution. Patients were guided to walk in the middle of the corridor. Over time, as the team became accustomed to the testing protocols and integrated themselves into routine processes, these cautionary measures were gradually phased out |
December 2021 | Inner Setting | Materials and Equipment | Concerns about risk of ankle injury | Stocked various ankle and knee orthoses and tape in a storage room. Acquired additional safety belts for HIT |
December 2021 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Knowledge related to interpreting measurement results to support clinical decision-making | Laminated interpretation guides were placed at the test station. Results were discussed in team meetings to improve the clinicians’ understanding of patients’ progress and to encourage patients |
December 2021 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Knowledge among physicians related to determining whether a high-intensity intervention is appropriate for a patient | Conducted meetings with PTs and medical doctors to clarify inclusion criteria and educate on how PTs monitor BP and intensity throughout treatment. Conferred with other hospitals and reviewed guidelines |
Implementation of HIT 2022–2023 | ||||
Month/Year | CFIR Domain | CFIR Construct | Barrier Description | Implementation Strategy |
2022–2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Lack of knowledge about how to deliver HIT to patients | Completing online courses on high-intensity gait training (HIT) to build fundamental knowledge |
Participating in workshops alongside more experienced PTs, facilitating practical skills | ||||
Attending multi-site case meetings to share insights and align practices among different facilities | ||||
Conducting weekly local meetings dedicated to case discussions, enabling continuous learning | ||||
Utilizing video recordings of patient sessions to enhance case discussions and guide clinical decision-making | ||||
January 2022 | Inner Setting | Materials and Equipment | Excessive time during treatment was used to locate braces | The storage room was moved close to the gym |
January 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Difficulty getting some patients in the zone because of orthopedic pain | Education and training on how to adapt HIT. Bodyweight support was used to help patients tolerate the training. Adjusted training speeds and varied tasks were used to maintain intensity |
January 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Difficulty sustaining intensity because of patients’ fatigue | Education and training on how to adapt HIT. Prioritized treatment with greater metabolic costs over shorter intervals |
February 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Lack of knowledge to provide HIT to students on the stroke team | Initially, students were assigned to other teams. After PTs gained HIT experience, they provided supervision for HIT sessions for some patients. Some students were introduced to a HIT education program depending on their interests and time |
February 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Remembering to document fidelity metrics daily | The documentation form and guide were discussed and co-developed to make documentation easier |
April 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Understanding how to challenge patients when they demonstrate symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and hypotension | Education and training on how to adapt HIT were provided. Treatment was modified to gradually increase a patient’s tolerance to HIT. |
April 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Understanding the clinical decision-making related to transitioning from HIT to usual care | Education and training on how to adapt HIT and clinical decision-making. A measurement interpretation guide during the evaluation aided in the interpretation of results. Findings were shared during team meetings to ensure a multidisciplinary approach. Updated guidelines for PTs included tailored treatments based on individual patient needs |
April 2022 | Inner Setting | Materials and Equipment | Limited availability of treadmill with harness system due to double booking | Coordination through shared timetables, rescheduling, or utilizing alternate equipment and times, such as early in the morning |
April 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Delayed medical clearance by physicians reduced the number of HIT sessions | Education was provided to appropriate patients for HIT. A process was also developed to determine appropriateness for HIT before initial consultations and discussions were held in team meetings, increasing the timeliness of HIT initiation |
April 2022 | Outer Setting | Local conditions | Length of stay | The length of stay was determined by the contract. An extension of the stay was considered when the patient continued to show improvements towards the end of the initial stay |
August 2022 | Inner Setting | Structural characteristics—work infrastructure | Time and priority | Team discussions resulted in consensus-based decisions. Treatment time for HIT was prioritized by the PT and team leader. Patients who benefited from HIT were distributed among different PTs. Patient goals were prioritized and determined the intervention focus |
August 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Technology competence. Efficiently monitoring HR, BP, and stepping metrics | PTs used paired HR monitors and smartphones. Internal education workshops improved competency in manual BP measurement. Guidelines for BP when undergoing HIT were locally adapted, and patient-specific restrictions were provided by the MDs when needed |
August 2022 | Inner Setting | Materials and Equipment | Arm bands for heart rate monitoring equipment (phones) were not fitting | New arm band holders were provided to each PT. The holders were placed on the forearm instead of the upper arm |
August 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Lack of knowledge related to the best clinical decision-making for HIT. The clinicians needed more practice with providing errors during treatment | PTs worked collaboratively during treatment, facilitating real-time decision-making discussions. The use of the HIT diagram showed the connection between skill acquisition and the need for assistance and error augmentation |
September 2022 | Innovation | Innovation Adaptability | Needed improved definitions for defining the target group and criteria for transitioning to usual care | Inclusion criteria were discussed with an MD or interdisciplinary team evaluating motivation, cognitive function, physical capabilities, as well as patient goals. The initial assessment was based on inclusion. Later evaluation was performed to reassess patients’ suitability for HIT |
November 2022 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Clinicians felt they needed to improve decision-making related to maximizing variation while delivering HIT | PTs worked collaboratively during treatment, facilitating real-time decision-making discussions |
January 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Clinicians felt they needed to improve decision-making related to balancing HIT while addressing postural stability needs | Education was provided on the “sandwich-model”—alternating between high- and low-cost tasks to maintain intensity while addressing postural stability. Analyzing daily notes to assess patients’ responses to different tasks |
March 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Some patients with chronic stroke may have limited initial tolerance for HIT | Patients were gradually introduced to the intervention |
March 2023 | Individual Roles | Implementation Team Members | Hesitancy among MDs regarding BP guidelines for patients with hemorrhagic stroke | Local guidelines were adapted from general recommendations. Medical evaluations conducted by MDs to deter-mine patient eligibility for HIT were supplemented by direct feedback from physical therapists on patients’ blood pressure and heart rate responses during exercise. When necessary, initial moderate-intensity gait training was used as a starting point. |
August 2023 | Innovation | Innovation Complexity | Weekly reading and analyzing StepWatch | Reading and analyzing StepWatch data was occasionally conducted collaboratively to enhance proficiency among team members. Technical limitations often hindered the feasibility of performing detailed analyses during the patient’s stay. Education was provided on understanding the clinical value of maximizing daily stepping |
August 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Clinicians struggled with increasing the number of daily steps | Collaboration with nursing staff, especially for patients in need of assistance, was conducted. Education underscored the clinical value of increasing daily steps |
September 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Knowledge about monitoring HR in patients with atrial fibrillation | Education was provided about how to monitor patients with atrial fibrillation. The clinicians switched to chest monitors instead of arm monitors for HR monitoring, which improved accuracy |
September 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Hesitancy among PTs to use manual BP device | An automatic BP device was primarily used. Manual methods might provide more diagnostic value |
September 2023 | Individual Characteristics | Capability | Lack of knowledge and skills related to taking manual BP, resulting in increased time requirements for taking BP | Clinicians practiced manual BP procedures |
Facilitators | ||||
CFIR Domain | CFIR Construct | Description of Facilitator | ||
Implementation Process | Teaming | Participation in the implementation project was self-initiated by the team, as they expressed interest in joining voluntarily. It was not a top-down directive, but rather a self-driven decision to participate. | ||
Implementation Process | Teaming | Good collaboration between project participants, characterized by openness and mutual support. | ||
Individual Characteristics | Capability | Experienced physiotherapists, averaging >20 years of work experience. | ||
Individual Characteristics | Motivation | PTs demonstrated a strong motivation to follow evidence-based practices, driven by the goal to improve patient outcomes. | ||
Individual Roles | High-level leaders, Mid-level leaders | The team leader and department leader, both relatively new in their roles, were eager to engage in new projects and academic topics. | ||
Individual Roles | Implementation Leads | A dedicated project leader (team leader) was used with a strong focus on system, structure, and organization. | ||
Inner Setting | Information Technology Infrastructure | An existing system to manage and analyze data collection effectively. | ||
Inner Setting | Learning-Centeredness | Leadership actively supported participation in broader professional networks, with a desire to be actively involved in professional development and improve the quality of the existing rehabilitation program. | ||
Inner Setting | Learning-Centeredness | Leadership actively supported their participation in the project through meetings, workshops, and training, maintaining close clinical and practical involvement to understand the challenges that management could assist in resolving. | ||
Inner Setting | Learning-Centeredness | A genuine desire among the team members to improve and develop professionally. | ||
Inner Setting | Mission Alignment | A reputation for high-quality care is a priority for the leaders. | ||
Inner Setting | Relational Connections | Direct access to organizational decision-makers who provide support when needed or requested (financial requests—equipment, time, and required re-organization for the therapists to have time to work with the patients). | ||
Inner Setting | Relative Priority | With relatively few parallel projects running within the organization, it was possible to prioritize and allocate time for the project. | ||
Inner Setting | Structural Characteristics—Work Infrastructure | There was stability among the staff and a low turnover | ||
Innovation | Innovation Design | A clearly defined program with established fidelity metrics and outcome measurements. | ||
Outer Setting | Financing | Some funding was provided through Fysiofondet. | ||
Outer Setting | Local Attitudes | Leadership belief that providing high-quality care is an investment that results in increased patient referrals. | ||
Outer Setting | Partnerships and Connections | Clinical staff were involved in broader professional networks, with a desire for professional development and to contribute to improving the quality of rehabilitation services. | ||
Outer Setting | Partnerships and Connections | The Institute for Knowledge Translation and Regional Competence Service for Rehabilitation (RKR) provided valuable guidance and free access to resources. | ||
Outer Setting | Policies and Laws | The potential to elevate the quality of care was viewed as a critical factor in securing a renewed healthcare service contract. |
Sex Male: n = 1 Female: n = 2 |
Age >40: n = 3 |
Years of practice >15: n = 3 |
Percentage of time on the stroke team 40%: n = 1 60%: n = 1 100%: n = 1 |
Number of patients with stroke seen daily 1–2: n = 1 3–4: n = 1 5–6: n = 1 |
Highest degree Bachelor’s = 3 |
Coverage for HIT | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total |
Individuals admitted with stroke | 126 | 128 | 17 | 271 |
Exclusion reasons | ||||
Referred for other goals | 37 | 34 | 8 | 79 |
Short stay | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Admitted for constraint-induced movement therapy program | 8 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
Medically unstable | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
Did not consent | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Total excluded | 49 | 45 | 10 | 104 |
Patients who may benefit from HIT | 77 | 83 | 7 | 167 |
HIT was offered | 39 | 46 | 2 | 87 |
Enrolled and completed FIRST project | 30 | 30 | 1 | 61 |
Enrolled and dropped out | 5 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
Previously enrolled in FIRST (data not collected at Skogli) | 4 | 9 | 1 | 14 |
% coverage | 51% | 55% | 29% | 52% |
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Moore, J.L.; Krøll, P.; Berg, H.H.; Sinnes, M.B.; Arntsen, R.; Henderson, C.E.; Hornby, T.G.; Rimehaug, S.A.; Lilleheie, I.; Orpana, A. Implementing High-Intensity Gait Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Real-World Pragmatic Approach. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 5409. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155409
Moore JL, Krøll P, Berg HH, Sinnes MB, Arntsen R, Henderson CE, Hornby TG, Rimehaug SA, Lilleheie I, Orpana A. Implementing High-Intensity Gait Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Real-World Pragmatic Approach. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(15):5409. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155409
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoore, Jennifer L., Pia Krøll, Håvard Hansen Berg, Merethe B. Sinnes, Roger Arntsen, Chris E. Henderson, T. George Hornby, Stein Arne Rimehaug, Ingvild Lilleheie, and Anders Orpana. 2025. "Implementing High-Intensity Gait Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Real-World Pragmatic Approach" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 15: 5409. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155409
APA StyleMoore, J. L., Krøll, P., Berg, H. H., Sinnes, M. B., Arntsen, R., Henderson, C. E., Hornby, T. G., Rimehaug, S. A., Lilleheie, I., & Orpana, A. (2025). Implementing High-Intensity Gait Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Real-World Pragmatic Approach. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(15), 5409. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155409