The role of caregiver involvement in upper-limb treatment in individuals with subacute stroke.

Background: Initial severity of upper-limb motor impairment and exercise intensity are important predictors of improved upper-limb function during stroke rehabilitation. Initial severity of motor impairment, however, is not modifiable by rehabilitation, and increased one-on-one treatment is not always feasible. Alternative methods to increase intensity and improve upper-limb function are needed.

A self-administered Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) improves arm function during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a multi-site randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: More than 70% of individuals who have a stroke experience upper limb deficits that impact daily activities. Increased amount of upper limb therapy has positive effects; however, practical and inexpensive methods of therapy are needed to deliver this increase in therapy.

Methods: This was a multi-site single blind randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week self-administered graded repetitive upper limb supplementary program (GRASP) on arm recovery in stroke.

The use of aerobic exercise training in improving aerobic capacity in individuals with stroke: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine whether aerobic exercise improves aerobic capacity in individuals with stroke.

Design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. DATABASES SEARCHED: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched.

A community-based fitness and mobility exercise program for older adults with chronic stroke: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: To examine the effects of a community-based group exercise program for older individuals with chronic stroke.

Design: Prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled intervention trial.

Setting: Intervention was community-based.

Reduced hip bone mineral density is related to physical fitness and leg lean mass in ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke.

Following a stroke, the reduced level of physical activity and functional use of the paretic leg may lead to bone loss and muscle atrophy. These factors and the high incidence of falls may contribute to hip fractures in the stroke population. This study was the first to examine total proximal femur bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) and their relationship to stroke-specific impairments in ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke (onset >1 year).

Exercise leads to faster postural reflexes, improved balance and mobility, and fewer falls in older persons with chronic stroke.

Objectives: To determine the effect of two different community-based group exercise programs on functional balance, mobility, postural reflexes, and falls in older adults with chronic stroke.

Design: A randomized, clinical trial.

Setting: Community center.

Relationship between ambulatory capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness in chronic stroke: influence of stroke-specific impairments.

Study Objectives: To identify the following in individuals with chronic stroke: (1) the relationship between the maximal oxygen consumption (Vo(2)max) during cycle ergometry and the distance covered in the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and (2) the stroke-specific impairments that are important determinants for the 6MWT distance.

Design: Cross-sectional study using a convenience sample.

Setting: Exercise testing laboratory in a tertiary rehabilitation center.

Water-based exercise for cardiovascular fitness in people with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an 8-week, water-based exercise program (experimental group) with that of an upper-extremity function program (control group) to increase cardiovascular fitness within a community setting for people with stroke.

Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Public community center.

Submaximal exercise in persons with stroke: test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with maximal oxygen consumption.

Objective: To establish the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) for 3 submaximal exercise tests in persons with chronic stroke: (1) submaximal treadmill test, (2) submaximal cycle ergometer test, and (3) 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Design: Prospective study using a convenience sample.

Setting: Free-standing tertiary rehabilitation center.

A community-based group exercise program for persons with chronic stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and psychosocial effects of an 8-wk community-based functional exercise program in a group of individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods: Twenty-five subjects (mean age 63 yr) participated in a repeated measures design that evaluated the subjects with two baseline assessments 1 month apart, one postintervention assessment, and one retention assessment 1 month postintervention. Physical outcome measures assessed were the Berg Balance Test, 12-Minute Walk Test distance, gait speed, and stair climbing speed.

Functional walk tests in individuals with stroke: relation to perceived exertion and myocardial exertion.

Background And Purpose: Functional walk tests such as the 6- and 12-Minute Walk Test (ie, 6MWT and 12MWT, respectively) are submaximal measures used to determine functional capacity in individuals with compromised ability. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between these walk tests and measures of exertion (perceived and myocardial), in addition to impairment in individuals with stroke. The relationship among the 6MWT, 12MWT, and the more traditionally assessed measure of self-paced gait speed (generally assessed over a short distance, eg, 10 m) was also evaluated.