Can wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices improve gait speed, balance, functional mobility…

Meta-analysisJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation· Dec 2025

Can wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices improve gait speed, balance, functional mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals post-stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Feng-Yi Wang, Yang Xu, Laura Yu-Yan Luo … Christina Zong-Hao Ma

Stroke RehabilitationMeta-analysisTreatmentQ1IF 6.0

Wearable biofeedback gait training improved balance more than standard therapy after stroke.

Can wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices improve gait speed, balance, functional mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals post-stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Feng-Yi Wang … Christina Zong-Hao Ma

Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation · Dec 2025 · Q1 in Rehabilitation

Background

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability, impairing gait, balance, and mobility, which critically reduces independence and increases fall risks.

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the existing evidence on effects of wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices on gait parameters and functional abilities in stroke survivors, to guide future clinical practice and research exploration.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (randomized controlled trials) investigating and comparing the effects of wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices, with general rehabilitative gait training or other controls, in stroke survivors were included.

n = 304 participants

SMD = 0.44

Results

SMD = 0.44

biofeedback training gave better balance than standard therapy

n = 304 participants

More results

Seven studies measuring gait speed showed statistically significant differences that favored biofeedback gait training over the controls (SMD = 0.41, P = 0.02, n = 204).

More results

Subgroup analyses on the efficacy of pressure sensing technology with auditory feedback showed non-significant results, although the P value was close to reaching statistical significance (SMD = 0.30, P = 0.05, n = 166).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

This review provides moderate quality evidence that wearable real-time biofeedback gait training can improve balance and functional mobility in post-stroke individuals.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

While a positive overall trend was observed for gait speed, the most prevalent intervention type (pressure sensing with auditory feedback) did not yield a statistically significant effect.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

No significant benefit was found for activities of daily living.

Can wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices improve gait speed, balance, functional mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals post-stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Can wearable real-time biofeedback gait training devices improve gait speed, balance, functional mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals post-stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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