Effects of Combined Exercise Training on Balance of Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise training with aerobic and functional strengthening exercises on balance ability of hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects] The subjects were 21 patients with chronic stroke who were attending a rehabilitation center. [Methods] Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: a combined exercise training group (n=11) and a conventional exercise group (n=10). Both groups did 60 minutes exercise per day, 5 times a week for four weeks. [Results] Both groups showed significant improvements in static and dynamic balances, and the combined exercise showed greater improvement in dynamic balance. [Conclusion] The result of this study suggests that combined exercise training with functional strengthening exercise and aerobic exercise was effective at improve static and dynamic balance ability, and was more effective than conventional exercise at improving dynamic balance. This suggests that combined exercise training can be prescribed for stroke patients to reduce their risk of falls and lead to independent ADL.