The type and dosage of exercise therapy to facilitate the recovery from stroke for balance, walking and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Background: Exercise therapy (aerobic or resistance therapy) could have a beneficial effect on balance, walking and quality of life (QoL). Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the effects of different modes, dosages and setting of exercise therapy on balance , walking capacity and QoL in stroke survivors. Methods: We searched PubMed, CINHAL and Hinari to identify random-ized controlled trials (RCT) that investigated the effects of aerobic (AT) and/or resistance therapy (RT) on balance, walking and QoL in stroke survivors. The treatment effect was computed by the standard mean differences (SMDs). Results: We included 27 RCT comprising 1,549 chronic stroke survivors. Any modality was effective to improve balance. There was high-level evidence that AT interventions were most effective in improving walking ca