Stroke: a randomized trial of exercise or relaxation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and effect of exercise training after stroke.


METHODS
Randomized exploratory trial comparing exercise training (including progressive endurance and resistance training) with relaxation (attention control).


METHODS
Interventions were performed in a rehabilitation hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-six independently ambulatory patients (mean age 72, 36 men) without significant dysphasia, confusion, or medical contraindications to exercise training who had completed their usual rehabilitation and had been discharged from hospital.


METHODS
Both interventions were held three times a week for 12 weeks. Up to seven patients attended each session.


METHODS
The Functional Independence Measure; Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living; Rivermead Mobility Index; functional reach; sit-to-stand; elderly mobility score; timed up-and-go; Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Questionnaire, version 2 (SF-36); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score; aspects of physical fitness (comfortable walking speed, walking economy, and explosive leg extensor power) were measured at baseline, immediately after interventions (3 months), and 7 months after baseline.


RESULTS
The median number of intervention sessions attended was 36 (interquartile range (IQR) 30.00-36.75) for exercise and 36 (IQR 30.50-37.00) for relaxation. Adherence to the individual exercises ranged from 94% to 99%. At 3 months, role-physical (an item in SF-36), timed up-and-go, and walking economy were significantly better in the exercise group (analysis of covariance). At 7 months, role-physical was the only significant difference between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise training for ambulatory stroke patients was feasible and led to significantly greater benefits in aspects of physical function and perceived effect of physical health on daily life.
Mead
Gillian E
GE
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. gillian.e.mead@ed.ac.uk
Greig
Carolyn A
CA
Cunningham
Irene
I
Lewis
Susan J
SJ
Dinan
Susie
S
Saunders
David H
DH
Fitzsimons
Claire
C
Young
Archie
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome