The Effects of Assisted Ergometer Training with a Functional Electrical Stimulation on Exercise Capacity and Functional Ability in Subacute Stroke Patients

Abstract

The Effects of Assisted Ergometer Training with a Functional Electrical Stimulation on Exercise Capacity and Functional Ability in Subacute Stroke Patients So Young Lee Department of Medicine GRADUATE SCHOOL JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Supervised by Professor Kang, Sa-Yoon Objective: To determine if assisted ergometer training can improve the functional ability and aerobic capacity of subacute stroke patients and if functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the paretic leg during ergometer cycling has additional effects. Methods: Sixteen subacute stroke patents were randomly assigned to the FES (n=8) group or the control (n=8) group. All patients underwent assisted ergometer training for 30 minutes (five times per week for 4 weeks). The electrical stimulation group received FES of the paretic lower limb muscles during assisted ergometer training. Peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak), metabolic equivalent (MET), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), resting and maximal heart rate (RHR, MHR), resting and maximal blood pressure (RBP, MBP), maximal rate pressure product (MRPP), estimated anaerobic threshold (AT), submaximal rate pressure product (SRPP), submaximal rate of perceived exertion (SRPE) and exercise duration (Ex Dur) were determined with the exercise tolerance treadmil test before and after treatment. The six minute walk test (6MWT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version of modified Barthel index (K-MBI) were evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment. Results: At 4 weeks after treatment, the FES assisted ergometer training group showed significant improvements in Vo2peak (p=0.02), MET (p=0.02), estimated AT (p=0.02), 6MWT (p=0.01), BBS (p=0.01) and K-MBI (p=0.01). The control group showed improvements in only BBS (p=0.01) and K-MBI (p=0.02). However, there was no significant difference in exercise capacity and functional ability between the two groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ergometer training for 4 weeks improved the functional ability of subacute stroke patients. In addition, aerobic capacity was improved after assisted ergometer training with a FES only.