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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Thermotherapy Combined With Therapeutic Exercise Improves Muscle Strength and Depression in Patients With Ischemic
Yovita Dwi Setiyowati1, Shan-Tair Wang2, Hsing-Mei Chen3
1Department of Nursing, Sint Carolus School of Health Sciences, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Purpose:
The study examined the effect of home-based thermotherapy combined with therapeutic exercise on muscle strength and depression in patients with ischemic stroke via a weekly evaluation over 4 weeks.
Design/Methods:
A quasi-experimental, pre-/posttest research design without a control group was employed. A total of 22 patients participated. Self-reported daily logs were used to evaluate intervention adherence over the study period. The manual muscle testing and Aphasic Depression Rating Scale were administered at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks.
Results:
Muscle strength in both the upper and lower limbs significantly increased (p < .05), whereas the depression score significantly decreased (p < .05).
Conclusion:
The intervention increased muscle strength and decreased depression during the first 3 months after stroke onset. The significant effects were found beginning during the third week of the intervention.
Clinical Relevance:
This intervention is inexpensive and can be easily applied by caregivers at home.
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