With no controls you can't tell if this is the placebo effect, the Hawthorne effect, or the training. Bad research.
How much exercise does the enhanced gait-oriented physiotherapy provide for chronic stroke patients?
S.H.Peurala,MSc.,PT (
) · K.Pitkänen · J.Sivenius · I.M.TarkkaBrain Research and Rehabilitation CenterNeuronKortejoki71130 Kuopio,FinlandTel.:+358-17/460111Fax:+358-17/460200E-Mail:sinikka.peurala@neuron.fi
Abstract
Background and Purpose
Physical exercise therapy in sensorimotor rehabilitation of stroke patients includes active and repetitive exercise and task-specific training.The time spent in activepractice is fundamental.The purpose of this study was to analyse what was the actual amount of exercise and content of the performed exercise of the three-week gait-oriented physiotherapy program for chronic stroke patients in an inpatient setting.
Methods
Twenty ambulatory post-stroke patients participated in an inpatient rehabilitation period during which a special effort was made to enhance gait training and the amount of therapy and its contents were recorded in structured form. Baseline and post intervention gait ability assessments were made, but the analysis concentrated on participation records in different forms of therapy.
Results
Patients received 19 hours of instructed physiotherapy in three weeks and together with self-initiated training they practised for 28 hours.The practice time in the upright position was 62% of the total duration of the instructed physiotherapy and 35% was performed while sitting. This amount of exercise resulted in improvement of the gait tests.
Conclusions
In order to improve gait in the chronic state of disease,a sufficient amount of gait rehabilitation practice can be obtained with a combination of electromechanical gait trainer exercises, physiotherapy, instructed exercise groups and self-initiated training.
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Key words
motor rehabilitation· gait · weight-supported training ·cerebrovascular diseases ·hemiparesis
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