Influence of home-based exercises on walking ability and function of post-stroke individuals

Background and aims: Patients undergo intensive training during hospitalisation for rehabilitation, although, in many cases, the level of training decreases upon returning home. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of post-rehabilitation home-based exercises on walking capacity of post-stroke individuals.

Methods: Single-blind, randomised, controlled trial. Eighty-six first ischaemic stroke patients were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The intervention group received detailed instructions for 14 exercises and was instructed to walk for at least 30 minutes daily. The control group received only standard discharge forms. The 10-metre walk test (10MWT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Timed Up & Go (TUG) were performed twice; once at the end of the inpatient rehabilitation period and then again three months later (E1 and E2).

Results: No significant difference was found in the control group as to any studied parameter between E1 and E2. A significant improvement was shown in the intervention group as to time parameter of the 10MWT (p=0.008), 6MWT (p<0.001) and TUG (p=0.009). When comparing delta values (E2-E1) for each test, we found that only 6MWT significantly differed between the two groups.

Conclusions: Home-based exercises improved the 6MWT results in post-stroke individuals. We recommend integrating home-based exercises into the standard post-hospitalisation stroke rehabilitation.