Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of two weeks of intensive exercise on leg
function in chronic stroke patients and to evaluate the feasibility of an
intensive exercise programme in a group setting.
DESIGN: Pilot study with
one-group pre-test post-test design with two pre-tests and one-year follow-up.
SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital. SUBJECTS: Twelve hemiparetic patients
completed the intervention. Ten patients participated at one-year follow-up.
INTERVENTION: Six hours of daily intensive exercise for two weeks with focus on
weight-shifting towards the affected side and increased use of the affected
extremity during functional activities. An insole with nubs in the shoe of the
non-paretic limb was used to reinforce weight-shift toward the affected side.
MAIN MEASURES: Timed Up and Go, Four Square Step Test, gait velocity, gait
symmetry and muscle strength in knee and ankle muscles. RESULTS: Maximal gait
velocity (P = 0.002) and performance time (seconds) on Timed Up and Go (mean, SD;
12.2, 3.8 vs. 9.4, 3.2) and Four Square Step Test improved from pre- to post-test
(P = 0.005). Improvements remained significant at follow-up. Preferred gait
velocity and gait symmetry remained unchanged. Knee extensor (P<50.009) and
flexor (P<50.001) strength increased bilaterally from pre- to post-test but only
knee flexor strength remained significant at follow-up. Ankle dorsi flexor (P =
0.02) and plantar flexor (P<0.001) strength increased on paretic side only (not
tested at follow-up). CONCLUSION: Intensive exercise for lower extremity is
feasible in a group setting and was effective in improving ambulatory function,
maximal gait velocity and muscle strength in chronic stroke patients. Most
improvements persisted at the one-year follow-up.

Langue : ANGLAIS