Deans' stroke musings: Virtual treadmill technology (C-mill) in gait rehabilitation after stroke: A qualitative interview study

Changing stroke rehab and research worldwide now.Time is Brain! trillions and trillions of neurons that DIE each day because there are NO effective hyperacute therapies besides tPA(only 12% effective). I have 523 posts on hyperacute therapy, enough for researchers to spend decades proving them out. These are my personal ideas and blog on stroke rehabilitation and stroke research. Do not attempt any of these without checking with your medical provider. Unless you join me in agitating, when you need these therapies they won't be there.

What this blog is for:

My blog is not to help survivors recover, it is to have the 10 million yearly stroke survivors light fires underneath their doctors, stroke hospitals and stroke researchers to get stroke solved. 100% recovery. The stroke medical world is completely failing at that goal, they don't even have it as a goal. Shortly after getting out of the hospital and getting NO information on the process or protocols of stroke rehabilitation and recovery I started searching on the internet and found that no other survivor received useful information. This is an attempt to cover all stroke rehabilitation information that should be readily available to survivors so they can talk with informed knowledge to their medical staff. It lays out what needs to be done to get stroke survivors closer to 100% recovery. It's quite disgusting that this information is not available from every stroke association and doctors group.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Virtual treadmill technology (C-mill) in gait rehabilitation after stroke: A qualitative interview study

My conclusion is you don't understand ONE GODDAMN THING ABOUT SURVIVOR MOTIVATION/DEMORALIZATION, DO YOU? You create EXACT 100% recovery protocols, and your survivor will be motivated to do the millions of reps needed because they are looking forward to 100% recovery. GET THERE!

Virtual treadmill technology (C-mill) in gait rehabilitation after stroke: A qualitative interview study

Kristiansen Sara, MSc 1 , Lahelle Falck Andreas, PhD 2 Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering Volume 13: 1–11 © The Author(s) 2026 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/20556683261487182 journals.sagepub.com/home/jrt , and Wouda Matthijs Ferdinand, PhD 1,3

Abstract

Background:

In stroke rehabilitation, VR-based technologies like the C-Mill treadmill combine physical and cognitive training to enhance motivation and motor learning. While quantitative studies show functional benefits, little is known about patients’ experiences.

Aim:

This study aims to explore stroke survivors’ subjective experiences of motivation during C-Mill training. Method: A qualitative design was employed. Seven inpatients at Sunnaas Hospital who had engaged in gait rehabilitation with C-Mill participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using systematic text condensation.

Results:

One overarching theme - motivation - was identified, comprising two subthemes: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The patients described how the C-Mill fostered intrinsic motivation by providing challenging, meaningful, and engaging activities that reflected everyday-life situations. They experienced that the system encouraged them to push their limits and attempt tasks they might otherwise hesitate to try, while still feeling supported and safe. Additionally, the technology enhanced extrinsic motivation through engaging feedback mechanisms, including gamification elements, and the visualization of performance statistics.

Conclusion:

C-Mill appears to constitute a promising adjunct to conventional rehabilitation by strengthening motivation. Its technological features, including safety scaffolding, gamification, and task variability, appeared to facilitate engagement and promote motivation.