Progressive resistance exercise for improving lower limb motor function in hemiplegic stroke patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of progressive resistance exercise for improving the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods Eighty-nine hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into a treatment group (n =46) and a control group ( n = 43 ) . Both groups received routine rehabilitation training, while the treatment group also undertook progressive resistance training. The control group received extra quadriceps femoris training. Before and after the treatment, motor function was evaluated with the Fugl-Meyer lower limb assessment, functional ambulation category (FAC) classification and the modified Barthel index (MBI). Results Before intervention, there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the assessments. Four weeks later, all the assessment scores obtained with the Fugl-Meyer lower limb assessment, FCA classification and MBI in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group. Conclusion Progressive resistance training combined with routine rehabilitation treatment can improve motor function in the lower limbs, ambulation and ability in the activities of daily living of hemiplegic patients after stroke.

Effects of Systems of Progressive Resistance Exercise on Quadriceps Femoris of Stroke Patients: a Surface Electromyography Analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effects of systems of progressive resistance exercise on lower limb extensors （quadriceps femoris） of stroke patients. Methods 89 stroke patients with weak lower limbs were randomly divided into progressive resistance exercise group (n=46) and control group (n=43), both receiving corresponding treatment for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Manual Muscle Test (MMT), integrated electromyogram (iEMG) and root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography on quadriceps femoris before and after the treatment. Results The incidence of improvement with MMT was 94.3% in progressive resistance exercise group, and 63.8% in control group （P<0.01）. The iEMG and RMS of the exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control （P<0.01）. Conclusion The systems of progressive resistance exercise could improve the muscle strength of lower limbs extensors of stroke patients more effectively.