Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis , sub-acute ( 6 to 12 weeks ) and chronic ( > or = 12 weeks ) low back pain , cystic fibrosis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and intermittent claudication .
Furthermore , there are indications that exercise therapy  is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis , hip osteoarthritis , Parkinson 's disease , and for patients who have suffered a stroke .
There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with neck pain , shoulder pain , repetitive strain injury , rheumatoid arthritis , asthma , and bronchiectasis .
Exercise therapy is not effective for  patients with acute low back pain .
It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders
The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal , nervous , respiratory , and cardiovascular systems .
Remedial therapy after stroke: a randomised controlled trial.
Of 1094 patients with a confirmed stroke admitted to Northwick Park , a district general hospital , 364 ( 33 % ) died while in hospital , 215 ( 20 % ) were fully recovered when discharged , and 329 ( 30 % ) were too frail or too ill from diseases other than stroke to be considered for active rehabilitation . Only 121 ( 11 % ) were suitable for intensive treatment .  They and 12 patients referred direct to out patients were allocated at r and om to one of three different courses of rehabilitation . Intensive was compared with conventional rehabilitation and with a third regimen which included no routine rehabilitation , but under which patients were encouraged to continue with exercises taught while in hospital and were regularly seen at home by a health visitor .  Progress at three months and 12 months was measured by an index of activities of daily living . Improvement was greatest in those receiving intensive treatment , intermediate in those receiving conventional treatment , and least in those receiving no routine treatment .  Decreasing intensity of treatment was associated with a significant increase in the proportions of patients who deteriorated and in the extent to which they deteriorated . Probably only a few stroke patients , mostly men , are suitable for  intensive outpatient rehabilitation  , but for those patients the treatment is effective and realistic
Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis , sub-acute ( 6 to 12 weeks ) and chronic ( > or = 12 weeks ) low back pain , cystic fibrosis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and intermittent claudication .
Furthermore , there are indications that exercise therapy  is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis , hip osteoarthritis , Parkinson 's disease , and for patients who have suffered a stroke .
There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with neck pain , shoulder pain , repetitive strain injury , rheumatoid arthritis , asthma , and bronchiectasis .
Exercise therapy is not effective for  patients with acute low back pain .
It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders
The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy  for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal , nervous , respiratory , and cardiovascular systems .