Walk ‘n Watch
Click the links below to download the Walk ‘n Watch Manual for Physical Therapists and Rehabilitation Assistants.
About the Study
Walk ‘n Watch is a pragmatic phase 3, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial that took place in 12 sites (inpatient stroke rehabilitation units) across seven Canadian provinces. All front-line physical therapists were trained to deliver the Walk ‘n Watch protocol. Walk ‘n Watch required completion of a minimum of 30 min of walking-related activities per session, which progressively increased in intensity based on heart rate and step count monitors. Progressions were prescribed on the basis of a screening 6-minute walk test (6MWT) done by the front-line physical therapist as part of the protocol. 306 were included in the primary analysis. The 6MWT improvement was 43·6 m (95% CI 12·7–76·1) greater in the Walk ‘n Watch group than in the usual care group. We also found significant and clinically meaningful improvements in balance, mobility and quality of life. No serious adverse events occurred during a Walk ‘n Watch session. The Walk ‘n Watch protocol resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in walking endurance, balance, mobility and quality of life in patients with subacute stroke in a real-world setting. The protocol can be readily implemented into practice with minimal additional resources.
The publication and supplemental materials
Peters S, Hung SH, Bayley MT, Best KL, Connell LA, Donkers SJ, Dukelow SP, Ezeugwu VE, Milot MH, Sakakibara BM, Sheehy L, Wong H, Yang Y, Yao J, Eng JJ. Safety and effectiveness of the Walk ‘n Watch structured, progressive exercise protocol delivered by physical therapists for inpatient stroke rehabilitation in Canada: a phase 3, multisite, pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet Neurology. 2025:24:643-655. pdf Supplemental
Walk ‘n Watch Study Sites
British Columbia
-
- Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Nanaimo
- Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna
Alberta
-
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton
Saskatchewan
-
- Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon
- Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital, Regina
Ontario
-
- Bruyere Hospital, Ottawa
- Grand River Hospital (Freeport Campus), Kitchener
- Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington
Quebec
-
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (CIRRIS), Québec
- University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke
New Brunswick
-
- Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Fredericton
Prince Edward Island
-
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown
Clinical Trial Registration Information
