scholarly journals Effects of Aquatic Exercise and Land-Based Exercise on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Motor Function, Balance and Functional Independence in Stroke Patients—A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1097
Author(s):  
Daxin Li ◽  
Ping Chen

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aquatic exercise (AE) and land-based exercise (LE) on cardiorespiratory fitness, motor function, balance, and functional independence in stroke patients. Design: Through searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Database, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected to study the effects of AE and LE on cardiorespiratory fitness, motor function, balance, and functional independence in patients with stroke. The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality by the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool, and statistical analysis was carried out by the Review Manage 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software. Results: The RCTs were collected between the earliest available date and April 2021. Eleven RCTs were included, including five studies with low risk and six studies with moderate risk. The total sample size used in the study was 369, which included 187 patients undertaking AE and 182 patients undertaking LE. The results of the meta-analysis showed that AE can significantly improve patients’ Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD = 5.19, 95% CI: 2.66 to 7.71, p < 0.0001), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (MD = 3.49, 95% CI: 0.17 to 6.8, p = 0.04), Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA) (MD = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.64 to 6.04, p = 0.0006), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (MD = 6.1, 95% CI: 4.05 to 8.15, p < 0.00001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two exercise modes in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) (MD = −2.52, 95% CI: −5.95 to 0.91, p = 0.15) or the Functional Ambulation Category scale (FAC) (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: −0.21 to 0.76, p = 0.26). Conclusion: Based on the improvement in the Berg Balance Scale, peak oxygen uptake, Fugl–Meyer Assessment, and Functional Independence Measure, we can state that aquatic exercise offers better advantages than land-based exercise for patients’ balance, motor function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and functional independence.

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huifang Xiang ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
Xiang Tang ◽  
Kebin Zeng ◽  
Xiushu Wu

Objective: The primary aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on limb movement recovery post-stroke and cortex excitability, to explore the optimal parameters of rTMS and suitable stroke population. Second, adverse events were also included. Data sources: The databases of PubMed, EBSCO, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EBM Reviews-Cochrane Database, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database were searched for randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of rTMS on limb motor function recovery post-stroke before December 2018. Review methods: The effect sizes of rTMS on limb motor recovery, the effect size of rTMS stimulation parameters, and different stroke population were summarized by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval using fixed/random effect models as appropriate. Results: For the motor function assessment, 42 eligible studies involving 1168 stroke patients were identified. The summary effect size indicated that rTMS had positive effects on limb motor recovery (SMD = 0.50, P < 0.00001) and activities of daily living (SMD = 0.82, P < 0.00001), and motor-evoked potentials of the stimulated hemisphere differed according to the stimulation frequency, that is, the high-frequency group (SMD = 0.57, P = 0.0006), except the low-frequency group (SMD = –0.27, P = 0.05). No significant differences were observed among the stimulation parameter subgroups except for the sessions subgroup ( P = 0.02). Only 10 included articles reported transient mild discomfort after rTMS. Conclusions: rTMS promoted the recovery of limb motor function and changed the cortex excitability. rTMS may be better for early and pure subcortical stroke patients. Regarding different stimulation parameters, the number of stimulation sessions has an impact on the effect of rTMS.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Jung Kim ◽  
Ye Jin Jo ◽  
Jun Yup Kim ◽  
Jun-taek Hong ◽  
Deog Young Kim

Background and Aims: Robotic rehabilitation therapy has been tried as a novel technology in field of upper extremity rehabilitation of stroke patients. However, the previous trial revealed the additional effect of robotic therapy compared to conservative therapy. We aimed to investigate whether the same intensity robot-assisted arm training(RAT) was more effective on the recovery of motor and improvement of upper limb function than conventional occupational therapy(COT) in subacute first-ever hemiplegic stroke patients (Fig.1). Methods: The clinical assessment included Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA), Motricity Index(MI), Functional Independence Measure(FIM), Motor Function Test(MFT), Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT), Trunk Control Test(TCT), Maximal Voluntary Torques(MVT), Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) for pain, and Active Range of Motion(AROM). The repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the results of longitudinal analyses between two groups (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The all parameters measured at baseline did not differ between two groups. Both groups showed significant improvements in FMA, MI, FIM, MFT, WMFT, TCT, MVT, and AROM after treatment (P<0.05). However, the results of longitudinal analyses during the 8-week study period did not show significant difference between two groups except VAS in AROM (p=0.011) and AROM of shoulder adduction (p=0.032) (Table 1). Conclusions: This study did not agree that robot-assisted arm training combined with conventional occupational therapy in subacute post-stroke hemiplegic patients may be superior to the same intensity conventional occupational therapy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Kiper ◽  
Michela Agostini ◽  
Carlos Luque-Moreno ◽  
Paolo Tonin ◽  
Andrea Turolla

Objectives. To study whether the reinforced feedback in virtual environment (RFVE) is more effective than traditional rehabilitation (TR) for the treatment of upper limb motor function after stroke, regardless of stroke etiology (i.e., ischemic, hemorrhagic).Design. Randomized controlled trial.Participants. Forty-four patients affected by stroke.Intervention. The patients were randomized into two groups: RFVE (N=23) and TR (N=21), and stratified according to stroke etiology. The RFVE treatment consisted of multidirectional exercises providing augmented feedback provided by virtual reality, while in the TR treatment the same exercises were provided without augmented feedbacks.Outcome Measures. Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scale (F-M UE), Functional Independence Measure scale (FIM), and kinematics parameters (speed, time, and peak).Results. The F-M UE (P=0.030), FIM (P=0.021), time (P=0.008), and peak (P=0.018), were significantly higher in the RFVE group after treatment, but not speed (P=0.140). The patients affected by hemorrhagic stroke significantly improved FIM (P=0.031), time (P=0.011), and peak (P=0.020) after treatment, whereas the patients affected by ischemic stroke improved significantly only speed (P=0.005) when treated by RFVE.Conclusion. These results indicated that some poststroke patients may benefit from RFVE program for the recovery of upper limb motor function. This trial is registered withNCT01955291.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (04) ◽  
pp. 199-205
Author(s):  
Lin Yue ◽  
Linglong Chen ◽  
Rongrong Zhou

AbstractThe efficacy of whole-body vibration for functional improvement in stroke patients remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of whole-body vibration on functional improvement in stroke patients.We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through June 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of whole-body vibration on functional improvement in stroke patients. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.Eight RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for stroke patients, whole-body vibration has no positive impact on 6 min walk test (6MWT) distance (standard mean difference (Std. MD)=−0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.66 to 0.11; P=0.16), timed-up-and-go (TUG) test (Std. MD=0.15; 95% CI=−0.54 to 0.84; P=0.67), Fugl-Meyer assessment (Std. MD=0.33; 95% CI=−0.23 to 0.89; P=0.25), Berg Balance Scale (Std. MD=0.19; 95% CI=−0.43 to 0.80; P=0.55), and activities specific balance (ABC) scale (Std. MD=−0.22; 95% CI=−0.62 to 0.17; P=0.26).Whole-body vibration shows no notable influence on 6MWT distance, TUG test, Fugl-Meyer assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and ABC scale in stroke patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Dong ◽  
Shifeng Meng ◽  
Ziqi Guo ◽  
Rufang Zhang ◽  
Panpan Xu ◽  
...  

Objective: Balance dysfunction after stroke often results in individuals unable to maintain normal posture, limits the recovery of gait and functional independence. We explore the short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on improving balance function and gait in stroke patients.Methods: We systematically searched on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar for studies that explored the effects of tDCS on balance after stroke until August 2020. All involved studies used at least one measurement of balance, gait, or postural control as the outcome.Results: A total of 145 studies were found, of which 10 (n = 246) met the inclusion criteria and included in our studies. The present meta-analysis showed that active tDCS have beneficial effects on timed up and go test (TUGT) [mean difference (MD): 0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11 to 0.58] and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) (MD: −2.54; 95% CI: −3.93 to −1.15) in stroke patients. However, the results were not significant on the berg balance scale (BBS) (MD: −0.20; 95% CI: −1.44 to 1.04), lower extremity subscale of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE) (MD: −0.43; 95% CI: −1.70 to 0.84), 10-m walk test (10 MWT) (MD: −0.93; 95% CI: −2.68 to 0.82) and 6-min walking test (6 MWT) (MD: −2.55; 95% CI: −18.34 to 13.23).Conclusions: In conclusion, we revealed that tDCS might be an effective option for restoring walking independence and functional ambulation for stroke patients in our systematic review and meta-analysis.Systematic Review Registration: CRD42020207565.


2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Maeda ◽  
J Kato ◽  
T Shimada

This observational study investigated the relationship between balance, mobility and falls in 72 hemiplegic stroke inpatients, with the aim of developing a model for predicting fall risk. Fall history was recorded by interview, balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and activities of daily living were evaluated using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Variables differing between fallers and non-fallers were identified, and a stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify a combination of variables that effectively predicted fall status. Fallers (occasional and repeat; n = 27) had a shorter time from stroke onset, lower FIM scores on admission and discharge, lower BBS and Mini-Mental State Examination scores, a greater age and longer length of hospital stay compared with non-fallers (all differences were significant). A logistic model for predicting falls showed that BBS at admission was significantly related to falls, with fallers having lower BBS scores at admission (cut-off ≤ 29; sensitivity 80%; specificity 78%). These data suggest BBS is a sensitive and specific measure for identifying stroke patients at risk of falling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-445
Author(s):  
Irene Ciancarelli ◽  
Giovanni Morone ◽  
Marco Iosa ◽  
Stefano Paolucci ◽  
Loris Pignolo ◽  
...  

Background: Limited studies concern the influence of obesity-induced dysregulation of adipokines in functional recovery after stroke neurorehabilitation. Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum leptin, resistin, and adiponectin and functional recovery before and after neurorehabilitation of obese stroke patients. The adipokine potential significance as prognostic markers of rehabilitation outcomes was also verified. Methods: Twenty obese post-acute stroke patients before and after neurorehabilitation and thirteen obese volunteers without-stroke, as controls, were examined. Adipokines were determined by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Functional deficits were assessed before and after neurorehabilitation with the Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: Compared to controls, higher leptin and resistin values and lower adiponectin values were observed in stroke patients before neurorehabilitation and no correlations were found between adipokines and clinical outcome measures. Neurorehabilitation was associated with improved scores of BI, mRS, and FIM. After neurorehabilitation, decreased values of Body Mass Index (BMI) and resistin together increased adiponectin were detected in stroke patients, while leptin decreased but not statistically. Comparing adipokine values assessed before neurorehabilitation with the outcome measures after neurorehabilitation, correlations were observed for leptin with BI-score, mRS-score, and FIM-score. No other adipokine levels nor BMI assessed before neurorehabilitation correlated with the clinical measures after neurorehabilitation. The forward stepwise regression analysis identified leptin as prognostic factor for BI, mRS, and FIM. Conclusions: Our data show the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation in modulating adipokines levels and suggest that leptin could assume the significance of biomarker of functional recovery.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 365
Author(s):  
Cecilia Estrada-Barranco ◽  
Roberto Cano-de-la-Cuerda ◽  
Vanesa Abuín-Porras ◽  
Francisco Molina-Rueda

(1) Background: Observational scales are the most common methodology used to assess postural control and balance in people with stroke. The aim of this paper was to analyse the construct validity of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) scale in post-stroke patients in the acute, subacute, and chronic stroke phases. (2) Methods: Sixty-one post-stroke participants were enrolled. To analyze the construct validity of the PASS, the following scales were used: the Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS), the Barthel Index (BI) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). (3) Results: The construct validity of the PASS scale in patients with stroke at acute phase was moderate with the FAC (r = −0.791), WGS (r = −0.646) and FIM (r = −0.678) and excellent with the BI (r = 0.801). At subacute stage, the construct validity of the PASS scale was excellent with the FAC (r = 0.897), WGS (r = −0.847), FIM (r = −0.810) and BI (r = −0.888). At 6 and 12 months, the construct validity of the PASS with the FAC, WGS, FIM and BI was also excellent. (4) Conclusions: The PASS scale is a valid instrument to assess balance in post-stroke individuals especially, in the subacute and chronic phases (at 6 and 12 months).


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