Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of an exercise program on muscle strength, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), health perception, and depression among post-stroke elders.
METHODS
Nonequivalent control group design with pretest and posttest was used. A total of 23 post-stroke elders who met inclusion criteria were recruited. Muscle strength in upper and lower extremities, ADL, health perception, and self-rated symptoms of depression were measured. The exercise program consisted of deep breathing, range of motion, and muscle strengthening exercises using Thera-band, 30~40 min/day, three days a week, for 12 weeks.
RESULTS
Muscle strength of right shoulder (U=11.50, p=.001), right leg (U=13.50, p=.002), and health perception (U=24.00, p=.010) in the experimental group was significantly higher compared to the control group at 12 weeks of post-intervention. Depression scores were significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group at 6 weeks (U=28.00, p=.021), at 12 weeks (U=22.00, p=.006) of an exercise program.
CONCLUSION
By applying this program, post-stroke elders showed increases in muscle strength and a decrease in depression as well as improvement of health perception. Further study is needed to verify the effects of the exercise program on cardiovascular physiologic variables through long-term follow-up.