Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 81-88
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260807
Effectiveness of Backward Walking Training on Gait, Balance & Functional Mobility in Middle-Aged Adults with Chronic Stroke: A Literature Review
Ananya N1, Dr Preethu Mohanan KK2, Dr Nikita Das3, Dr Manjunatha H4
1Intern, Akash Institute of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru, India
2Lecturer, Akash Institute of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru, India
3Lecturer, Akash Institute of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru, India
4Principal, HOD Akash Institute of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru, India
Corresponding Author: Ananya N
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic stroke survivors frequently experience persistent deficits in gait, balance, and functional mobility despite receiving conventional rehabilitation. These impairments reduce independence, increase the risk of falls, and limit participation in daily and community activities. Backward walking training (BWT) has emerged as a promising supplementary rehabilitation approach because it places greater demands on neuromuscular coordination, postural control, and lower-limb muscle activation than conventional forward walking.
Objective: To review the effectiveness of backward walking training on gait, balance, and functional mobility in middle-aged adults with chronic stroke.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and PubMed Central. Studies published in English between 2020 and 2025 involving middle-aged adults with chronic stroke (≥6 months post-stroke) were included. Eligible studies evaluated backward walking training as the primary intervention and assessed gait, balance, or functional mobility outcomes. A total of nine studies, including randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, and meta-analyses, met the inclusion criteria.
Results: Backward walking training consistently improved gait speed, stride length, step length, gait symmetry, balance, and functional mobility among middle-aged adults with chronic stroke. Improvements were reported in outcome measures such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Individuals with severe walking impairment also demonstrated meaningful functional gains following backward walking training. Evidence further suggested that improvements achieved through backward walking may transfer to forward walking performance.
Conclusion: Backward walking training appears to be an effective and feasible intervention for improving gait, balance, and functional mobility in middle-aged adults with chronic stroke when combined with conventional rehabilitation. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized intervention protocols and longer follow-up periods are required to strengthen the current evidence and support wider clinical application.
Keywords: Backward walking training, chronic stroke, gait, balance, functional mobility, stroke rehabilitation.
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