Effects of Resistance Training on Performance and Physiological Indices in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and purpose: This meta-analysis review aimed to investigate the effect of resistance training on functional performance and physiological factors in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and methods: The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using related keywords. All articles were reviewed, but 22 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included after screening. Results: Based on findings, resistance training had a significant effect on the Six-minute Walk Test (difference in means= -32.04, P= 0.028), the Berg Balance Scale (difference in means= -2.37, P= 0.018), handgrip strength test (Difference in means= -2.05, P= 0.001), and Gait Speed (difference in means= -0.089, P= 0.101) in patients with ischemic stroke. However, resistance training did not significantly affect the Up and Go Test (difference in means= -2.27, P= 0.192) in these patients. On the other hand, according to several physiological indicators in different subgroups, including body mass index, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C, resistance training did not have a significant effect (difference in means= 0.02, P= 0.642) in patients with ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Resistance training improves the performance of patients with ischemic stroke. This improvement occurs in both the upper and lower body, but resistance training did not improve physiological parameters in ischemic stroke patients.