Trial results for a study investigating physical therapy approaches in acute Stroke patients were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-03-25, indicating that the Frequent Intense PT group achieved the highest mean change in Postural Assessment Stroke Scale (PASS) score of 32.17 (Standard Deviation 5.08).
Background
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, often requiring extensive rehabilitation to restore function. Early and intensive physical therapy (PT) is critical in the acute phase following a stroke to optimize recovery outcomes. The Department of Physical Therapy, in conjunction with the Comprehensive Stroke Center at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), initiated this study to develop an evidence-based approach for patient mobilization within the first 24 hours of acute stroke admission. The goal was to increase the frequency and intensity of acute PT services while inpatient, aiming to optimize length of stay, improve disposition planning, and enhance long-term recovery outcomes for patients with acute stroke.
Trial design
This completed study, identified as Phase NA, enrolled 102 participants diagnosed with Stroke, Acute Stroke, or Ischemic Stroke. The trial compared different physical therapy approaches to improve patient outcomes. The intervention arms included:
- Standard of Care PT
- Frequent PT Services
- Error Augmentation Training
- Frequent Intense PT
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of these different physical therapy strategies in the acute hospital setting.
Key results
The primary outcome measured was the change in Postural Assessment Stroke Scale (PASS) score, a measure of postural control and balance. Multiple measurements were reported for each intervention group:
- Standard of Care PT:
- Mean change of 19.64 (Standard Deviation 8.68)
- Mean change of 22.95 (Standard Deviation 9.83)
- Mean change of 25.86 (Standard Deviation 8.68)
- Frequent PT Services:
- Mean change of 19.86 (Standard Deviation 7)
- Mean change of 27 (Standard Deviation 6.26)
- Mean change of 28.95 (Standard Deviation 5.52)
- Error Augmentation Training:
- Mean change of 19.25 (Standard Deviation 8.86)
- Mean change of 23.90 (Standard Deviation 8.83)
- Mean change of 27.74 (Standard Deviation 7.72)
- Frequent Intense PT:
- Mean change of 23.21 (Standard Deviation 7.32)
- Mean change of 29.10 (Standard Deviation 7)
- Mean change of 32.17 (Standard Deviation 5.08)
Across all reported measurements, the "Frequent Intense PT" group consistently showed the highest mean changes in PASS scores, with the peak observed at 32.17 (Standard Deviation 5.08).
What this means
The results suggest that increasing the frequency and intensity of physical therapy services for acute stroke patients may lead to improved postural control and balance, as indicated by higher changes in PASS scores. The "Frequent Intense PT" intervention consistently demonstrated the most favorable outcomes among the groups studied. These findings support the potential for more aggressive early rehabilitation strategies to enhance recovery for individuals experiencing acute stroke, potentially impacting inpatient care protocols and long-term functional independence.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT06042179, titled "Frequency vs Error Augmentation Training in Acute Physical Therapy Post Stroke", were posted on 2026-03-25 on clinicaltrials.gov.