http://www.strokejournal.org/article/S1052-3057%2814%2900462-5/abstract
,
Cristina P. Santos, PhD
,
Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, Azurém, Guimarães, Portugal
Received:
June 3, 2014;
Received in revised form:
August 29, 2014;
Accepted:
September 6, 2014;
Published Online: November 21, 2014
Publication stage:
In Press Corrected Proof
Stroke
is a leading cause of long-term disabilities, such as hemiparesis,
inability to walk without assistance, and dependence of others in the
activities of daily living. Motor function rehabilitation after stroke
demands for methods oriented to the recovery of the walking capacity.
Because of the similarities with walking, cycling leg exercise may
present a solution to this problem. The aim of this article is to review
the state of the art applications of cycling leg exercise as a (1)
motor function rehabilitation method and an (2) aerobic training method
for stroke patients as well as the commonly used (3) assessment tools.
The cycling characteristics and applications, the applied test protocols
as well as the tools used to assess the state and the recovery of
patients and types of cycling devices are presented. In addition, the
potential benefits of the use of other therapies, like feedback,
together with cycling are explored. The application of cycling leg
exercise alone and combined with feedback in stroke rehabilitation
approaches has shown promising results. Positive effects on motor
abilities were found in subacute and chronic patients. However, larger
and normalized studies and assessments are needed because there is a
high heterogeneity in the patients' characteristics, protocols and
metrics. This wil allow the comparison between different studies related
with cycling.
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