Experimental group: aerobic treadmill training at 60–80% of heart rate reserve. Control group: outdoor-overground walking below 40% of heart rate reserve. Both groups: three 40 min sessions/week over 12 weeks
Aerobic treadmill training improved quality of life. Aerobic treadmill training or outdoor-overground walking improved depression, endurance, and mobility
30 ambulatory chronic stroke patients allocated to whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) group or treadmill training (TT) group
The WBV-TT group performed 6 types of exercises on a vibrating platform for 4.5 minutes and then walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. The TT group conducted the same exercise on a platform without vibration and then walked on the treadmill in the same manner. The vibration lasted for 45 seconds in each exercise, and the intervention was performed 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. The treadmill walking speed was gradually increased by 5% in both groups.
The WBV-TT group showed significant improvements in walking performance with respect to walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, single-limb support, double-limb support, and 6-minute walk test compared with baseline (). Significant improvements were also seen in walking speed, step length, stride length, and double-limb support compared with the TT group ()
408 participants who had had a stroke 2 months earlier according to the extent of walking impairment—moderate (able to walk 0.4 to <0.8 m per second) or severe (able to walk <0.4 m per second)—and randomly assigned them to one of three training groups
One group received training on a treadmill with the use of bodyweight support 2 months after the stroke had occurred (early locomotor training), the second group received this training 6 months after the stroke had occurred (late locomotor training), and the third group participated in an exercise program at home managed by a physical therapist 2 months after the stroke (home exercise program). Each intervention included 36 sessions of 90 minutes each for 12 to 16 weeks
All groups had similar improvements in walking speed, motor recovery, balance, functional status, and quality of life
A 4 wk isometric strength training program performed with the less-affected upper limb three times per week. Participants in the mirror and strength training group observed the reflection of the exercising arm in the mirror. Participants in the strength training only group exercised without a mirror entirely
Self-perceived impact of stroke improved. The feasibility and potential effectiveness of mirror-aided cross-education compared with cross-education only for upper limb motor recovery were established
32 participants randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group ( each)
The experimental group received 400 minutes of core stability training in place of conventional programs within total training time (20 minutes of core stabilization exercises within each daily training session, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks), while the control group received only conventional programs
Beneficial effects on trunk function, standing balance, and mobility
362 patients with first ever or recurrent stroke due to infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage
The intervention group received individualized coaching for physical activity 30 min daily, and 45–60 min physical exercise including 2–3 bouts of vigorous activity every week
Positive association between increasing adherence to the intervention and cognitive function
23 subacute and chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group () or the control group (n = 11)
Both groups participated in conventional balance rehabilitation exercises, 2–3 h a day, 5 days a week. The experimental group received 20 sessions of 20 min of balance exercise, 5 days a week, for 4 consecutive weeks, with Wii Fit and Wii Balance board, in addition to conventional rehabilitation
Wii Fit-based balance rehabilitation could represent a useful adjunctive therapy to traditional treatment to improve static and dynamic balance, functional motor ability, and independence in stroke patients
200 adults with subacute stroke (days 5-45 after stroke) with a median National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS, range 0-42 points, higher values indicating more severe strokes) score of 8 (interquartile range 5-12) were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to aerobic physical fitness training () or relaxation sessions (, control group) in addition to standard care
Participants received either aerobic, bodyweight supported, treadmill-based physical fitness training or relaxation sessions, each for 25 minutes, five times weekly for four weeks, in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy
Change in maximal walking speed in the 10 m walking test and change in Barthel index scores three months after stroke compared with baseline. Compared with relaxation, aerobic physical fitness training did not result in a significantly higher mean change in maximal walking speed (adjusted treatment effect 0.1 m/s (95% confidence interval 0.0 to 0.2 m/s), ) or mean change in Barthel index score (0 (−5 to 5), ) at three months after stroke
84 chronic stroke patients (24 women; age, years; time since stroke onset, months) with mild to moderate motor impairment (Chedoke-McMaster leg motor score: median, 5; interquartile range, 4–6) were randomly allocated to the dual-task balance/mobility training group, single-task balance/mobility group, or upperlimb exercise (control) group
Each group exercised for three 60-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks
The dual-task program was effective in improving dual-task mobility, reducing falls and fall-related injuries. It had no significant effect on activity participation or quality of life
29 chronic stroke patients were randomly allocated to the land-based and aquatic trunk exercise group () and control group ()
Land-based and aquatic trunk exercises (LATE) were performed for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks as an adjunct to 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy. The control group underwent only conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes each time, twice per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks
The LATE program helped improve trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living
56 patients (28 women) who had a mild stroke (98% ischemic) and were discharged to independent living and enrolled 20 days (median) after stroke onset
60 minutes of group aerobic exercise, including 2 sets of 8 minutes of exercise with intensity up to exertion level 14 or 15 of 20 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, twice weekly for 12 weeks (). The nonintervention group () received no organized rehabilitation or scheduled physical exercise
Intensive aerobic exercise twice weekly improved aerobic capacity, walking, balance, health-related quality of life, and patient-reported recovery
250 participants from 10 community health centers (5 per arm) were selected and randomly allocated into Tai Chi Yunshou exercise group (TC group) or a balance rehabilitation training group (control group) in an equal ratio
Participants in the TC group received Tai Chi Yunshou exercise training five times per week for 12 weeks and those in control group received balance rehabilitation training five times per week for 12 weeks
A 12-week Tai Chi Yunshou intervention was more effective in motor function, fear of falling and depression than balance rehabilitation training. Tai Chi Yunshou and balance rehabilitation training led to improved balance ability and functional mobility, and both are suitable community-based programs that may benefit for stroke recovery and community reintegration
28 participants with impairments in walking and controlling balance more than six months poststroke were randomly assigned to a land-based therapy (control group, ) or hydrotherapy (study group, )
Participants underwent individual sessions for four weeks, five days a week, for 45 minutes per session
The Berg balance scale, functional reach test, 2-minute walk test, and the timed up and go test scores had improved significantly in each group (). The mean improvement of the functional reach test and 2-minute walk test were significantly higher in the aquatic group than in the control group (). A relatively short program (four weeks) of hydrotherapy exercise resulted in a large improvement in a small group () of individuals with relatively high balance and walking function following a stroke
