title: Comparison of the Effects between Isokinetic and Isotonic Strength Training in Subacute Stroke Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of the study was to compare the effects of isokinetic and isotonic strengthening program on the changes of muscle strength, functional capacity, life quality, and inflammatory cytokines in hemiparetic patients within 6 months of stroke attack.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned into either isotonic training group or isokinetic training group. Both training programs were carried out 5 days a week for a total of 4 weeks. Outcome measures included the peak isometric torque of knees at 90° flexion, the peak torque of knees extension and flexion at angular velocities 60°/s and 120°/s, Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire, Timed Up and Go test, and inflammatory cytokines including high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients were not able to complete the training program and were excluded from our study. The results from the remaining 24 patients showed that there were more peak torque, and SF-36 items significantly improved in the isokinetic training group compared with the isotonic group. The Timed Up and Go test and interleukin-6 were improved in both groups, but tumor necrosis factor-α was improved in only the isokinetic group. There were no significant differences between the improvements of the 2 groups except the isokinetic flexion torque at 60°/s and 120°/s.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early strengthening exercise is important for subacute stroke patients, and isokinetic program, if accessible, can bring more significant benefits for them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chen-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ken-Jie
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shin-Tsu
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: rifampin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yuan-Yang
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; C439524:TNF protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Stroke; inflammatory cytokine; isokinetic; isotonic; peak torque