Home-based Exercises for Patients With Stroke
Condition: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Infarction; Brain Ischemia; Stroke
MeSH terms: Stroke; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Ischemia; Brain Infarction; Infarction; Ischemia
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is the development and the implementation of a new protocol about
      home-based exercises, supported by an illustrated manual, for the treatment of individuals
      with stroke.

      The hypothesis is that this group of patients who are going to carry out the training of this
      study protocol are going to show improvement in measured parameters (functionality and
      physical performance), which allows this protocol to be improved and published as a proposal
      of physiotherapeutic treatment.
    

Detailed description: 
      1. Program Development: 27 exercises were selected, based on the most frequent motor
           alterations present in hemiparesis. Three modes were created for each exercise: assisted
           active, active and resisted active executions. Besides explanatory text, there were
           illustrative photos for all exercises and their modes.

        2. Program Execution: All groups were submitted to a motor evaluation utilizing the
           Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and functional evaluation utilizing the Functional
           independence measure (FIM). After assessment, for the patients of the home-based
           exercise group (HBG) a group of home exercises was selected for each patient; these
           exercises were explained and performed one by one. The home-exercises were re-executed
           at each fortnightly visit, when any necessary correction was made. The next steps
           stipulated by the manual were taken, providing the patients with more complex exercises
           according to their progress. The patients in the supervised exercise training group
           (SEG) participated in supervised individual exercise sessions two times per week. A
           physical therapist supervised these sessions. Exercise sessions included: 30 minutes of
           global exercises that involved stretching, range of motion, muscle strengthen and
           another 30 minutes of functional training (gait, balance and use of the arm in daily
           activities).The control group (CG) was assessed but reluctant or unable to regularly
           attend a supervised exercise program. The groups were reassessed after six months.

        3. Program assessment: The Fugl-Meyer Assessment score and the Functional independence
           measure score, measured at baseline and after six months, were compared between the
           groups.
    

Intervention name(s): home-based group (HBG); supervised exercise group (SEG)
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants in the home-based group (HBG) were advised to exercise, a minimum of 4 times per week, but they were encouraged to exercise a total of 5-7 days per week. After individual assessment, a group of home-exercise selected of the manual was explained and performed one by one. The home-exercises were re-executed at each fortnightly visit, when necessary corrections were made and the next step stipulated by manual was taken, according to the patient's progress.; Patients in the supervised exercise training group (SEG) participated in supervised individual exercise sessions 2 times per week. A physical therapist supervised these sessions. Exercise sessions included: 30 minutes of global exercises that involved stretching, range of motion, muscle strengthen and another 30 minutes of functional training (gait, balance and use of the arm in daily activities).
Other intervention name(s): Home-based exercise supported by an illustrated manual; Conventional supervised exercise training
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Stroke; Exercise and Physical Fitness