Effect of Isokinetic Eccentric Knee Extensor and Flexor Strengthening Exercise in Patients with Chronic Hemiplegia

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of isokinetic eccentric knee extensor and flexor strengthening training on affected limbs of patients with chronic hemiplegia. METHOD: Twenty-one subjects with chronic stroke were participated in this study. All subjects were indoor ambula tors. The hemiplegic knee flexors and extensors of the experimental group (n=11) were trained eccentrically using Cybex 770 dynamometer 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Conventional rehabilitation treatment was administrated to the control group at the same duration and frequency as the experimental group. Total peak torque, total work and functional parameters were measured before and after training. RESULTS: Significantly higher mean percent changes of peak torque and total work were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group at all eccentric angular velocities tested. Functional parameters also showed significant improvements in the gait speed, a timed stair climb up and down, and sit-to-stand time compared to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The isokinetic eccentric strengthening training of knee extensors and flexors in patients with chronic hemi plegia were useful in strengthening the affected leg and functional improvement.