Related Experiment Videos
Physical fitness training for stroke patients
D H Saunders1, C A Greig, A Young
1Department of Physical Education Sport and Leisure Studies, University of Edinburgh, St Leonards Land, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK, EH8 2AZ.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 20, 2004
Summary
Physical fitness training after stroke shows no clear benefit for reducing death or dependence. However, cardiorespiratory training may improve walking ability, suggesting task-specific exercise is key.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Stroke survivors often experience impaired physical fitness, potentially worsening disability.
- The impact of post-stroke physical fitness improvement on disability reduction remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if physical fitness training reduces death, dependence, and disability in stroke patients.
- To investigate the effects of fitness training on secondary outcomes like physical fitness, mobility, function, quality of life, and mood.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
- Searches included multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) and trial registers up to December 2002.
- Included RCTs focused on improving muscle strength or cardiorespiratory fitness, with control groups receiving usual care or non-exercise interventions.
Main Results:
- Twelve trials were included; no data on death or dependence were reported.
- Two small trials indicated no significant benefit of training on disability.
- Cardiorespiratory training showed potential to improve walking ability (mobility), particularly with task-specific exercises.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence on fitness training interventions post-stroke is limited for clinical practice.
- Further research is needed to explore the efficacy and feasibility of training, especially early after stroke.
- Specific studies are required to determine the optimal content and type of training interventions.