OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of progressive resistance training on muscle strength, muscle tone, gait performance and perceived participation after stroke. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS:Twenty-four subjects (mean age 61 years (standard deviation 5)) 6-48 months post-stroke. METHODS: The training group (n = 15) participated in supervised progressive resistance training of the knee muscles (80% of maximum) twice weekly for 10 weeks, and the control group (n = 9) continued their usual daily activities. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention and at follow-up after 5 months. Muscle strength was evaluated dynamically and isokinetically (60 degrees /sec) and muscle tone by the Modified Ashworth Scale. Gait performance was evaluated by Timed "Up & Go", Fast Gait Speed and 6-Minute Walk tests, and perceived participation by Stroke Impact Scale. RESULTS:Muscle strength increased significantly after progressive resistance training with no increase in muscle tone and improvements were maintained at follow-up. Both groups improved in gait performance, but at follow-up only Timed "Up & Go" and perceived participation were significantly better for the training group. CONCLUSIONS:Progressive resistance training is an effective intervention to improve muscle strength in chronic stroke. There appear to be long-term benefits, but further studies are needed to clarify the effects, specifically of progressive resistance training on gait performance and participation.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of progressive resistance training on muscle strength, muscle tone, gait performance and perceived participation after stroke. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four subjects (mean age 61 years (standard deviation 5)) 6-48 months post-stroke. METHODS: The training group (n = 15) participated in supervised progressive resistance training of the knee muscles (80% of maximum) twice weekly for 10 weeks, and the control group (n = 9) continued their usual daily activities. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention and at follow-up after 5 months. Muscle strength was evaluated dynamically and isokinetically (60 degrees /sec) and muscle tone by the Modified Ashworth Scale. Gait performance was evaluated by Timed "Up & Go", Fast Gait Speed and 6-Minute Walk tests, and perceived participation by Stroke Impact Scale. RESULTS: Muscle strength increased significantly after progressive resistance training with no increase in muscle tone and improvements were maintained at follow-up. Both groups improved in gait performance, but at follow-up only Timed "Up & Go" and perceived participation were significantly better for the training group. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance training is an effective intervention to improve muscle strength in chronic stroke. There appear to be long-term benefits, but further studies are needed to clarify the effects, specifically of progressive resistance training on gait performance and participation.
Authors: Stacey E Aaron; Jennifer L Hunnicutt; Aaron E Embry; Mark G Bowden; Chris M Gregory Journal: Top Stroke Rehabil Date: 2017-05-08 Impact factor: 2.119
Authors: David H Saunders; Mark Sanderson; Sara Hayes; Maeve Kilrane; Carolyn A Greig; Miriam Brazzelli; Gillian E Mead Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2016-03-24
Authors: Frederick M Ivey; Steven J Prior; Charlene E Hafer-Macko; Leslie I Katzel; Richard F Macko; Alice S Ryan Journal: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2016-11-16 Impact factor: 2.136
Authors: Brian A Knarr; John W Ramsay; Thomas S Buchanan; Jill S Higginson; Stuart A Binder-Macleod Journal: Muscle Nerve Date: 2013-09-11 Impact factor: 3.217
Authors: Melissa Ann Huberman; Nathan D d'Adesky; Qismat Bahar Niazi; Miguel A Perez-Pinzon; Helen M Bramlett; Ami P Raval Journal: Neuromolecular Med Date: 2021-07-03 Impact factor: 3.843