In today’s episode Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS talks with Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS to discuss her research on the barriers and facilitators to implementing high-intensity gait training for stroke rehabilitation (and beyond). Months ago Annie was recruiting survey respondents for her PhD dissertation study on high intensity gait training in inpatient rehab. NeuroCollaborative allowed her to email and post her survey to our audience and today’s conversation is a follow up to see what she learned.

Annie’s research data revealed common facilitators and barriers to implementing high intensity gait training for clinicians. There were some surprises and she shares what they were as well as future research questions. Does it have to only be done with walking? We discussed the core factors that make high intensity training desirable as well as what to do when you don’t have the equipment or an appropriate candidate for treadmill training. You’ll learn creative ways to implement high intensity training as well as the reason behind it. We also discuss what you’ll also need to add in addition to high intensity training because this impairment does not necessarily improve and needs to be addressed separately. Nervous about taking someone with an acute stroke who may have never worked out before into high levels of intensity? We talk about that too!

Feel free to contact Dr. Annie Tapp, PT, DPT, PhD at aqtapp@ysu.edu

Articles mentioned in the episode:

Tapp, A., Griswold, D., Dray, D., Landgraff, N., & Learman, K. (2024). High-intensity locomotor training during inpatient rehabilitation improves the discharge ambulation function of patients with stroke. A systematic review with meta-analysis. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 31(5), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2024.2304960

Tapp, A., Dray, D., Griswold, D., Haybarger, R., & Learman, K. (2024). A retrospective analysis of a clinician-initiated high-intensity locomotor training implementation project in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 1–10. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2024.2424354

Tapp, A. (2024). From Evidence to Practice: Efficacy and Implementation of High-intensity Locomotor Training for Stroke Rehabilitation [Doctoral dissertation, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1733749623360122