Is exercise beneficial for stroke patients?

This review aimed to see whether physical fitness training would be beneficial for stroke patients. The authors found that cardiorespiratory training showed improvements in walking speed, balance and gait.

Physical fitness is required in all aspects of life including walking or climbing stairs. Stroke patients often experience limited muscle function which can lead to reduced physical fitness. This causes them to lose independence in performing everyday functions. In addition, an increase in physical fitness may also provide benefits to stroke patients, in terms of improved quality of life, mood and cognitive abilities and may reduce the risk of a second stroke.

The authors aimed to establish whether physical fitness training in stroke patients would reduce death, dependence and disability.

The authors reviewed 58 trials that included 2797 participants. These trials had researched the effect of physical fitness training in stroke patients. 28 trials focused on cardiorespiratory training (improving endurance, such as walking or cycling), 13 trials focused on resistance training (improve muscle strength, such as weight training) and 17 trials had both types of training. Each trial compared a study group to a control group. They included a specific training program followed by a follow-up.

Cardiorespiratory training led to improvements in walking speed, balance and gait. Benefits were also found in patients who underwent mixed training.

The authors concluded that there is evidence that cardiorespiratory training might reduce disability and dependence for stroke patients.

There was insufficient data in the trials to conclude whether physical fitness training improves quality of life, mood or cognitive abilities. 

Discuss types of cardiorespiratory training with your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.