Conclusions : There is preliminary evidence that progressive resistance strength training programmes reduce musculoskeletal impairment after stroke .
Whether strengthening enhances the performance of functional activities or participation in societal roles remains unknown
Objective : To determine whether progressive resistance strength training reduces impairments , activity limitations and participation restrictions after stroke .
Effect of Force-Feedback Treatments in Patients with Chronic Motor Deficits After a Stroke
Bourbonnais D , Bilodeau S , Lepage Y , Beaudoin N , Gravel D , Forget R : Effect of force-feedback treatments in patients with chronic motor deficits after a stroke . Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81:890–897 . Objective To assess the effects a motor reeducation approach based on static dynamometers used to provide feedback on the force produced . Design The study design was a single-blind , r and omized , controlled trial . Chronic stroke subjects participated in a 6-wk , thrice-weekly , force-feedback program of either the upper paretic limb ( n = 13 ) or the  lower paretic limb ( n = 12 ) . Baseline and postintervention assessment s of the performance of both the upper and the lower limb were measured for each subject , the untreated paretic limb  of each group serving as a control for the other group . Results With the exception of the h and grip force , strength measurements of the treated limb increased after completion of the treatment . The outcome measurements of the upper limb of the subjects included in the upper paretic limb were not significantly different after treatment from those measured in the lower paretic limb . In contrast , gait velocity and the distance walked in 2 min increased after treatment in the lower paretic limb as compared with the upper paretic limb , whereas the scores in the Fugl-Meyer test for the lower limb and the timed up- and -go test did not increase for either group after treatment . Conclusion The results indicate that treatment of the lower limb based on force feedback produces an improvement of gait velocity
Conclusions : There is preliminary evidence that progressive resistance strength training programmes reduce musculoskeletal impairment after stroke .
Whether strengthening enhances the performance of functional activities or participation in societal roles remains unknown
Objective : To determine whether progressive resistance strength training reduces impairments , activity limitations and participation restrictions after stroke .