The effect of an intensive exercise programme on leg function in chronic stroke patients: a pilot study with one-year follow-up.

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.