EFFICACY OF BODY WEIGHT SUPPORTED GAIT TRAINING VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TRAINING IN MIDDLE-AGED MALE ACUTE STROKE SURVIVORS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF 15 RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Abstract

Background: The acute phase of stroke (0–3 months) represents a critical window for neuroplasticity. While Body Weight Supported Gait Training (BWSGT) facilitates high-repetition stepping, its specific efficacy in middle-aged males, a demographic with high goals for community reintegration and return-to-work, requires systematic synthesis. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of BWSGT versus Conventional Gait Training (CGT) on motor recovery Fugl Meyer Assessment Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), and Functional Gait Analysis (FGA) in male patients (aged 40–60) during acute stroke recovery. Methods: A systematic search was directed ensuing PRISMA guiding principles across PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, and Cochrane Library (2015–2025). Fifteen Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria (total n=659) were analyzed. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: BWSGT yielded significantly greater improvements in FMA-LE scores (p < 0.05) compared to CGT. Meta analysis revealed large effect sizes for motor recovery (SMD = 0.84) and functional gait stability (SMD = 0.92). FGA improvements were significantly greater in the BWSGT group across 10 of 15 studies (p < 0.001). Conclusion: BWSGT is a superior intervention for early motor recovery in male acute stroke survivors. The ability to safely initiate massed practice contributes to superior functional outcomes in this specific demographic.