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Cited by 759Stroke Rehabilitation and RecoveryPhysical Activity and HealthMedical Practices and Rehabilitation

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Physical fitness training for stroke patients

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Saunders, David H, Sanderson, Mark, Hayes, Sara, Kilrane, Maeve, Greig, Carolyn A, Brazzelli, Miriam, Mead, Gillian E·2016·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd003316.pub6PMC PMC6464717
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Levels of physical fitness are low after stroke. It is unknown whether improving physical fitness after stroke reduces disability. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether fitness training after stroke reduces death, dependence, and disability and to assess the effects of training with regard to adverse events, risk factors, physical fitness, mobility, physical function, quality of life, mood, and cognitive function. Interventions to improve cognitive function have attracted increased attention after being identified as the highest rated research priority for life after stroke. Therefore we have added this class of outcomes to this updated review. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched February 2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 1: searched February 2015), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2015), EMBASE (1980 to February 2015), CINAHL (1982 to February 2015), SPORTDiscus (1949 to February 2015), and five additional databases (February 2015). We also searched ongoing trials registers, handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings, screened reference lists, and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing either cardiorespiratory training or resistance training, or both (mixed training), with usual care, no intervention, or a non-exercise intervention in stroke survivors. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected trials, assessed quality and risk of bias, and extracted data. We analysed data using random-effects meta-analyses. Diverse outcome measures limited the intended analyses. MAIN RESULTS: We included 58 trials, involving 2797 participants, which comprised cardiorespiratory interventions (28 trials, 1408 participants), resistance interventions (13 trials, 432 participants), and mixed training interventions (17 trials, 957 participants). Thirteen deaths occurred before the end of the intervention and a further nine before the end of follow-up. No dependence data were reported. Diverse outcome measures restricted pooling of data. Global indices of disability show moderate improvement after cardiorespiratory training (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19 to 0.84; P value = 0.002) and by a small amount after mixed training (SMD 0.26, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.49; P value = 0.02); benefits at follow-up (i.e. after training had stopped) were unclear. There were too few data to assess the effects of resistance training.Cardiorespiratory training involving walking improved maximum walking speed (mean difference (MD) 6.71 metres per minute, 95% CI 2.73 to 10.69), preferred gait speed (MD 4.28 metres per minute, 95% CI 1.71 to 6.84), and walking capacity (MD 30.29 metres in six minutes, 95% CI 16.19 to 44.39) at the end of the intervention. Mixed training, involving walking, increased preferred walking speed (MD 4.54 metres per minute, 95% CI 0.95 to 8.14), and walking capacity (MD 41.60 metres per six minutes, 95% CI 25.25 to 57.95). Balance scores improved slightly after mixed training (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.47). Some mobility benefits also persisted at the end of follow-up. The variability, quality of the included trials, and lack of data prevents conclusions about other outcomes and limits generalisability of the observed results. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Cardiorespiratory training and, to a lesser extent, mixed training reduce disability during or after usual stroke care; this could be mediated by improved mobility and balance. There is sufficient evidence to incorporate cardiorespiratory and mixed training, involving walking, within post-stroke rehabilitation programmes to improve the speed and tolerance of walking; some improvement in balance could also occur. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of resistance training. The effects of training on death and dependence after stroke are still unclear but these outcomes are rarely observed in physical fitness training trials. Cognitive function is under-investigated despite being a key outcome of interest for patients. Further well-designed randomised trials are needed to determine the optimal exercise prescription and identify long-term benefits.

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Metadata

Authors
Saunders, D. H., Sanderson, M., Hayes, S., Kilrane, M., Greig, C. A., Brazzelli, M., & Mead, G. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
  • University of the West of Scotland (GB)
  • University of Limerick (IE)
  • Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (GB)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-03-24
Volume
3
Pages
CD003316-CD003316
ISSN
  • 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-1858
DOI
10.1002/14651858.cd003316.pub6
PMC
PMC6464717
OpenAlex
W2287237060
Cited by
759
References
594
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 40
FWCI
8.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
new_version (2020-03-20)
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Aberdeen University Research Archive (Aberdeen University) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Limerick Institutional Repository (University of Limerick) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Funders
Medical Research Council (MR/K00414X/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Medical Practices and Rehabilitation
Keywords
stroke rehabilitation, physical conditioning, cardiorespiratory training, resistance training, stroke survivors, disability, mortality, mobility (physical function), physical function, quality of life, mood, cognitive function, adverse events, risk factors, exercise intervention
MeSH terms
Stroke Rehabilitation, Activities of Daily Living, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Physical Fitness, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Walking, Stroke, Resistance Training

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