Inclusion Criteria:  (1) having the first cerebral ischemic stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging; (2) presentation of hemiplegia; (3) onset of stroke within 1 month at the beginning of the physical therapy; (4) not receiving other physical therapy regimens aside from this intervention; (5) age 40 to 74 years old; (6) ability to execute simple verbal instructions; (7) not being delirious; (8) having stable vital signs and medical conditions.  Exclusion Criteria:  The exclusion criteria included diffuse brain damage, brain tumors, as well as other diseases such as acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, and/or severe cardiac and pulmonary disease, which were contraindicated in rehabilitation procedure.