Effects of Early Exercise in Patients With Moderate to Severe Stroke.

Effects of Early Exercise in Patients With Moderate to Severe Stroke - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: to investigate the efficacy of early exercise in patients with moderate to severe stroke regarding functional outcome and walking ability.

Methods: Patients with medium to severe stroke (NHISS >7) were recruited 24 - 48 hours after stroke onset from two stroke units in Sweden. Both groups received usual care. The intervention group received even 20 minutes bed-cycling 5 days per week with a maximum of 15 sessions. Functional outcome was measured with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel index and walking with the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Measurements were performed pre- and post-intervention (3 weeks), and at 3-months follow-up.

Inclusion criteria:

• Age over 18 years.
• Diagnose stroke with The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 7-42 points.
• Ability to understand the Swedish language.
• Approval of medical responsible physician to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria:

• Medical or neurological diseases that can affect the performance of the exercise and severe cognitive impairment.