title: Isokinetic muscle strengthening after acquired cerebral damage: a literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Isokinetic strengthening is a rehabilitation technique rarely used in stroke patients. However, the potential benefits of force and endurance training in this population are strongly suspected.
  
  
  METHODS
  This literature review synthesizes the results of clinical trials on this topic. The research was conducted on PubMed, using "Stroke", "rehabilitation", "isokinetic", "upper limb" and "training" as keywords.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen studies focusing on the use of isokinetics in assessment or rehabilitation (six studies) following stroke were reviewed. For the lower limb, muscle strength and walking ability improved after isokinetic rehabilitation programs. For the upper limb, the only two studies found in the literature suggest improvement in the strength of the trained muscles, of grip force, of the Fugl-Meyer motor score and of global functional capacities. This review does not reveal any consensus on the protocols to be implemented: type of muscle contraction, velocities….
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While isokinetic strengthening has not proven its efficiency in rehabilitation of the upper limb following stroke, its interest with regard to rehabilitation of the lower limbs has been recognized. Randomized controlled trials in this field are necessary to confirm its efficiency, especially concerning upper arm rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Movement to Health, Montpellier-1 University EuroMov, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hammami
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Coroian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Julia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mottet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hérisson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laffont
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation