Effects of electric stimulation-assisted cycling training in people with chronic stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether leg cycling training in subjects with chronic stroke can improve cycling performance, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and functional performance and to determine if electric stimulation (ES) to the contralateral (paretic) leg during cycling has additional effects over cycling without ES.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial, with a partial double-blind design.


METHODS
A rehabilitation center.


METHODS
Twelve stroke patients (range, 18-70 y), more than 5 months poststroke, with lower-extremity hemiparesis.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned to groups that performed cycling exercise, one with ES evoking muscle contractions and a control group with ES not evoking muscle contractions. Subjects, blinded for group assignment, trained twice a week for 6 weeks.


METHODS
Changes in aerobic capacity and maximal power output, functional performance, and lower-limb muscle strength.


RESULTS
Aerobic capacity and maximal power output significantly increased by 13.8%+/-19.1% and 38.1%+/-19.8%, but muscle strength was not significantly enhanced after training. Functional performance improved (ie, scores on the Berg Balance Scale increased by 6.9%+/-5.8% (P=.000) and the six-minute walk test improved by 14.5%+/-14.1% (P=.035). There was no significant effect on the Rivermead Mobility Index (P=.165). Training-induced changes were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Changes in cycling performance and aerobic capacity were not significantly related to changes in functional performance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that a short cycling training program on a semirecumbent cycle ergometer can markedly improve cycling performance, aerobic capacity, and functional performance of people with chronic stroke. The use of ES had no additional effects in this specific group of subjects with chronic stroke.
Janssen
Thomas W
TW
Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Research Institute MOVE, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. t.janssen@fbw.vu.nl
Beltman
J Marijke
JM
Elich
Peter
P
Koppe
Peter A
PA
Konijnenbelt
Hermanna
H
de Haan
Arnold
A
Gerrits
Karin H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011336:Probability; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012016:Reference Values; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome