title: Task-oriented progressive resistance strength training improves muscle strength and functional performance in individuals with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of task-oriented progressive resistance strength training on lower extremity strength and functional performance in chronic stroke subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical centre and district hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight subjects at least one year post stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants randomly allocated to two groups, control (n-/24) and experimental (n-/24). Subjects in the control group did not receive any rehabilitation training. Subjects in the experimental group were put on a four-week task-oriented progressive resistance strength training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lower extremity muscle strength, gait velocity, cadence, stride length, six-minute walk test, step test, and timed up and go test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscle strength significantly improved in the experimental group for strong side muscle groups (ranged from 23.9% to 36.5%) and paretic side muscle groups (ranged from 10.1% to 77.9%). In the control group muscle strength changes ranged from 6.7% gain to 11.2% decline. The experimental group showed significant improvement in all selected measures of functional performance except for the step test. In the control group, the number of repetitions of the step test significantly decreased (-20.3%) with no change in other functional tests. There was a significant difference between groups for muscle strength and all functional measures. The strength gain was significantly associated with gain in the functional tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The task-oriented progressive resistance strength training programme could improve lower extremity muscle strength in individuals with chronic stroke and could carry over into improvement in functional abilities.
authors.affiliation: Faculty and Institute of Physical Therapy, National Yang-Ming University and Section of Physical Therapy, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yea-Ru
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ray-Yau
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kuei-Han
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mou-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Rai-Chi
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation