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Related Experiment Videos

"Task-oriented" exercise improves hamstring strength and spastic reflexes in chronic stroke patients.

G V Smith1, K H Silver, A P Goldberg

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Division of Gerontology, University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. gsmith@physio.ab.umd.edu

Stroke
|October 8, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Task-oriented treadmill exercise improved muscle strength and reduced spastic reflexes in chronic stroke survivors. This 12-week program demonstrated significant gains in volitional torque and decreased reflexive torque in hemiparetic limbs.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Stroke survivors often experience long-term motor impairments, including hemiparesis.
  • Traditional views suggest limited functional recovery after the subacute phase of cerebral infarction.
  • Task-oriented exercise interventions are being explored to enhance recovery in chronic stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of a 12-week task-oriented treadmill exercise program.
  • To determine if this program could increase muscle strength and decrease spastic reflexes in chronic hemiparetic patients.
  • To challenge the belief of limited functional gains post-stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Fourteen chronic hemiparetic patients (>6 months post-stroke) participated.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Isokinetic dynamometry measured hamstring reflexive and volitional (concentric, eccentric) torque bilaterally.
  • Measurements were taken at four angular velocities (30-120°/s) before and after the 12-week intervention.

    • Main Results:

    • Concentric torque production significantly improved in both paretic and nonparetic hamstrings.
    • Eccentric torque also increased significantly in both limbs.
    • Passive (reflexive) torque generation decreased in the paretic hamstrings, indicating reduced spasticity.

    Conclusions:

    • Progressive treadmill aerobic exercise effectively enhances volitional torque and torque/time generation in hemiparetic limbs.
    • The exercise program demonstrated a reduction in reflexive torque, suggesting a decrease in spasticity.
    • Findings support the use of treadmill exercise for improving strength and functional mobility in chronic stroke survivors.