A Randomized Trial Investigating the Influence of Strength Training on Quality of Life in Ischemic Stroke

• Published in: Topics in stroke rehabilitation 2016-04, Vol.23 (2), p.84-89
• Main Authors: Aidar, Felipe José, de Oliveira, Ricardo Jacó, de Matos, Dihogo Gama, Mazini Filho, Mauro Lucio, Moreira, Osvaldo Costa, de Oliveira, Cláudia Eliza Patrocínio, Hickner, Robert C., Reis, Victor Machado
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain Ischemia - complications; Clinical trials; Disability; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motivation; Muscle Strength - physiology; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Resistance Training - methods; Stroke; Stroke - etiology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1074-9357; 1945-5119
• DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2015.1110307

Background: Strength training post stroke is widely acknowledged as an important part of a rehabilitation program. Muscle strength has been shown to be a significant contributor to physical disability after stroke, which in turn has an immense impact on the reintegration of patients into society, affecting their quality of life. Objective: This was a randomized intervention trial to determine the effect of a resistance training program on the quality of life in patients with stroke. Methods: An experimental group (EG), consisting of 11 subjects aged 51.7 ± 8.0 years, and a control group (CG), consisting of 13 subjects aged 52.5 ± 7.7 years, were studied before and after 12 weeks. EG underwent 12 weeks of strength training three times a week. The CG did not undergo strength training during the 12-week study period. Results: There was a significant increase in quality of life from pre-test to post-test (Δ% = 21.47%; p = 0.021) in EG. There were significant differences in all indicators of quality of life between groups at 12 weeks. There were greater gains in strength in EG than in CG (p ≤ 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the strength gains as determined with the 1RM test and the quality of life, especially in lower limb exercises. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there was an improvement in the measures of strength in EG, and that there was a correlation between improvements in strength and quality of life in these patients who had previously suffered a stroke at least one year prior to study.