Cross training effects of non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise on paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activity, gait ability, and balancing ability in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized, controlled, pilot trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise on functional abilities in chronic hemiplegic patients after stroke. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with chronic stroke underwent dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise (MST) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (the experimental group, MST to non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscles, n=11; the control group, MST to paralytic dorsiflexion muscles; n=10). Paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activities (DFA) and 10 m walking tests (10MWT) and timed up and go tests (TUG) were measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: A significant increase in DFA was observed after intervention in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05) (experimental 886.6% for reference voluntary contraction (RVC), control 931.6% for RVC). TUG and 10MWT results showed significant reductions post-intervention in the experimental and control groups (experimental group -5.6 sec, control -4.8 sec; experimental group -3.1 sec, control, -3.9 sec; respectively). No significant intergroup difference was observed between changes in DFA or between changes in TUG and 10MWT results after intervention (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Strengthening exercise performed on non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscles had positive cross-training effects on paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activities, balance abilities, and walking abilities in patients with chronic stroke.