The Effect of a Community-Based Group Exercise in Chronic Stroke

Community-based group exercise programs for people with chronic stroke are relatively uncommon in Korea. In addition, it is currently not known whether a community-based group exercise program is effective or not. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an 8 week community-based functional exercise program for its effects on balance performance and occupational performance in persons with chronic stroke. Twenty-five community-dwelling individuals with stroke participated in this program. Outcome of the program was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The functional exercise program lasted for eight weeks, with a 1-hour program twice per week and it consisted of mobility, stability, balance, functional strength, and gait training. The subjects were trained by one physical therapist but were under one-to-one supervision from students. The data of sixteen individuals who scored more than 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were analyzed. There was a significant effect both in terms of the COPM Performance Score & the Satisfaction Score (p=.002) and with the Berg Balance Score (p=.001). It was found that a short-term community-based exercise program could improve both performance of activities and balance. Further, all subjects reported that they were satisfied with this program.