Combined exercise after stroke may modestly improve disability
A review suggests small functional gains from aerobic and strength exercise, while lasting benefits and protection against further cardiovascular events remain uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Combining aerobic and strength exercise may slightly improve disability, walking speed and balance by program completion after stroke. Evidence for these gains was low or very low certainty. The review found no clear reduction in deaths or further cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events; these were uncommon, so protection remains unproven.
Unequal exposure between exercise and control groups, imprecise estimates and sparse follow-up limit confidence, especially in lasting benefits. This explanation is based on the abstract.
What researchers found
Disability at program completion
Small estimated benefit of combined training versus usual care, no intervention or non-exercise activities. Standard deviations express the difference relative to how widely disability scores vary, allowing different scales to be combined; low-certainty evidence.
What the trials tested
The trials compared programs combining endurance and muscle-strengthening exercise with control conditions. Researchers assessed disability, fitness, walking, balance and major health events at program completion and during later follow-up.
Did gains last?
The disability estimate favored combined training when programs ended, but the later confidence interval included no difference. Balance may retain a small benefit; evidence for lasting changes in other outcomes was limited.
The original publication
Combined cardiorespiratory and resistance training for people with stroke.
Saunders DH, Carstairs SA, Cheyne JD et al.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40990157
- Record checked
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