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Table 2 Examples of exercises included in the ARC training programme

From: Auditory rhythmical cueing to improve gait and physical activity in community-dwelling stroke survivors (ACTIVATE): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Exercise

Repetitions/time

Progressions

Balance exercises

  

1. Weight shift side to side with ARC device

3 × 10

• Without holding on

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5% to work on speed

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Work on movement selectivity

2. Weight shift forward and back with ARC device

10 with the left foot in front

10 with the right foot in front

• Without holding on

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5% to work on speed

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

3. Stepping forwards and backwards with ARC device

10× forward and back with both feet leading with the right leg

10× forward and back with both feet leading with the left leg

• Without holding on

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

4. Side stepping with ARC device

Continue side stepping for 2 min

• Without holding on

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

5. Turning 180° in both directions with ARC device

5× in one direction

5× in the other direction

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Increase the number of repetitions

• Work on the quality of the movement pattern Balance training Walking

6. Turning 360° with ARC device

3× in one direction

3× in other direction

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Increase the number of repetitions

7. Forward stepping onto a step with ARC device

10× forward and back with both feet leading with the right leg

10× forward and back with both feet leading with the left leg

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Increase the number of repetitions

8. Side stepping onto a step with ARC device

10× stepping both feet onto the step and onto the other side and returning to start position

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Increase the number of repetitions

Gait exercises

  

1. Standing march with ARC device

1 min

• Increase time

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

2. Walking and turning with ARC device

10 short walks

• Increase time

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Walking and turning

• Walking backwards

• Walking whilst carrying an object, e.g. cup

3. Manoeuvring between objects with ARC device

Repeat each circuit 5 times (e.g. manoeuvring between two chairs and returning to start position)

• Increase number of circuits

• Increase the cueing frequency by 5%

• Reduce the cueing frequency by 5% to work on control

• Change the objects to make them more difficult to manoeuvre around

4. Basic community walking with ARC device

5 min

• Increase time/distance walked

• Increase the cueing frequency

• Up and down curbs

5. Advanced community walking with ARC device

5 min

• Walking in busy areas, e.g. shopping mall

• Walking on different surfaces, e.g. grass/sand

• Up and down hills