Cardiac Rehabilitation for Enhancing Functional Status and Physical Activity in Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Outcome Measures

Your competent? created a protocol on this years ago, RIGHT? NO? So, you DON'T have a functioning stroke doctor, do you? With NO protocol created, your doctor isn't really a doctor, correct?

Cardiac rehab (11 posts to October 2013)

 Cardiac Rehabilitation for Enhancing Functional Status and Physical Activity in Post-Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Outcome Measures

Hana A S Abujarad 1,3, Siti Noraini Asmuri 1,*, Mazatulfazura SF Salim 1, Thanalactchumy

Chandrarose 1, Katijjahbe MD Ali 2, Sami S Elmahgoub 3, Waseem E M Elfantazy 3.

1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra

Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

2 Department of Medical Rehabilitation Services, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti

Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

3 Department of physiotherapy, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Libya

*Corresponding author:

Dr. Siti Noraini Asmuri, Senior Lecturer, PhD Rehabilitation (Occupational Therapy), Department of

Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400

Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: ctnoraini@upm.edu.my, Phone:0060177917559 ,ORCID:

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6196-3909

Abstract

Stroke is a major global disability, causing impaired functional status and reduced physical activity.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have shown effectiveness in improving outcomes, but their

application for post-stroke patients remains underexposed. This systematic review aims to identify

the components of CR programs, how these components are implemented, progressed, and evaluated,

and whether these strategies improve cardiorespiratory fitness, physical and functional recovery in

stroke survivors. A comprehensive search was conducted using Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, and

EBSCOhost databases up to May 1st, 2023. Studies were identified using specific search keywords

related to CR after stroke. A total of 2615 articles were initially retrieved, with 11 selected for final

analysis. CR programs for post-stroke patients focused on reducing risk factors, improving health-

related quality of life (HRQOL), aerobic capacity, walking ability, motor recovery, psychological

outcomes, mortality, and other health impacts. Various types, durations, and intensities of exercise

were utilized in these programs. Outcome measures included functional capacity, cardiovascular

fitness, walking ability, psychological outcomes, and quality of life (QOL). Significant improvements

were observed in cardiovascular fitness, 6-minute walk distance test (6MWDT), balance, mental

health, cognitive function, and physical activity levels in the intervention groups. CR programs have

the potential to improve functional status and increase physical activity levels in post-stroke patients.

However, the limitations of the included studies underscore the need for standardized measures and

more rigorous controlled trials. Future research should focus on developing evidence-based CR

programs tailored to post-stroke patients to enhance their QOL and reduce disability.