Mobility and muscle strength contralateral to hemiplegia from stroke: benefit from self-training with family support.

Objective: To determine whether patient exercise with the support of family members maximizes mobility and improves muscle strength in the nonparetic lower limb after stroke.

Design: Comparison of improvement at 2 wk between conventional exercise sessions and a program also including the participation of family members. Subjects were 60 patients rendered nonambulatory by severe hemiparesis from their first stroke. Of these, 42 had family members participating in their therapy. Lower limb strength was measured on the nonparetic side using an isokinetic machine. Mobility status was assessed using the Rivermead Mobility Index. Patients were evaluated at the first inpatient gym session and again at 1 and 2 wk.

Results: At the first evaluation, lower limb strength and the Rivermead Mobility Index score did not differ between the two groups. Reevaluations were conducted at 1 and 2 wk after the first evaluation. Patients' strength and mobility improved more when family members participated.

Conclusion: Family participation is an important contributor to stroke rehabilitation.