Physical fitness training for stroke patients (Review) - Update Software

da Cunha 2002
Methods Design: randomised trial of cardiorespiratory training plus % usual care versus usual care
- during usual care
Randomisation mechanism: random number table
Allocation concealment: unknown
Blinding: unknown
Intention-to-treat: no
Measurements: end of intervention (2/3 weeks - until discharge)
Withdrawals: none
Participants Randomised: 15 participants
Intervention: 7 participants; 6 males and 1 females; age 57.8 years (SD 5.5); 15.7 days
post-stroke (SD 7.7)
Control: 8 participants; 7 males and 1 female; age 58.9 years (SD 12.9); 19.0 days poststroke
(SD 12.7)
Inclusion criteria: recent stroke (onset < 6 weeks); significant gait deficit (< 36 metres/
minute; FAC score of 0, 1 or 2); sufficient cognition to participate in training (Mini Mental
State Examination - MMSE≥21); able to stand and take 1 or more steps without assistance
Exclusion criteria: co-morbidity or disability other than hemiparesis; recent myocardial
infarct; any uncontrolled health condition; joint disease or rheumatoid arthritis; obesity (>
110 kg); cognitive impairment (MMSE < 21)
Interventions Intervention: cardiorespiratory training: treadmill walking with body weight support 20
minutes/day 6 days/week for 2 to 3 weeks (until discharge); intensity unknown but rapid
progression imposed by increasing speed and reducing body weight support; the 20-minute
training replaced the 20-minute gait training component of the control
Control: usual care 3 hours per day for 6 days per week for 2 to 3 weeks until discharge;
included kinesitherapy (1 hour per day), occupational therapy (1 hour per day) and physical
therapy (1 hour per day): the physical therapist included 20 minutes of gait training
comprising stepping, standing, turning, etc, but not continuous walking
Setting: rehabilitation centre
Outcomes Included outcomes: cycle performance work rate (Watts); VO2 peak; blood pressure; FAC;
FIM (lower limb); gait speed maximal (5 metres); gait endurance (5 minutes); gait economy
Other outcomes: stance symmetry; contact time (seconds); stride cadence steps/minute
and other biomechanical gait parameters
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias Authors’ judgement Support for judgement
Allocation concealment (selection bias) Unclear risk Not reported
Physical fitness training for stroke patients (Review)
Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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