Physical Activity and Exercise After Stroke: Review of Multiple Meaningful Benefits

Although stroke is now the fourth, not the third, most common cause of death in the United States, the burden of stroke has increased. Stroke is now the third (fifth in 1990) largest cause of disability-adjusted life years in the developed world. Around half of those who do survive stroke are permanently disabled.

There are a wide range of poststroke problems, including movement and function, mobility, balance, cognition, attention, memory, pain, sensation, perception, emotional problems, and psychological issues. The physical and psychosocial consequences of stroke are complex and long term.

Longer-term problems are reported by stroke survivors 1 to 5 years post stroke. The most common include mobility (58%), fatigue (52%), concentration (45%), and falls (44%). Around half of those surviving report that their needs relating to these problems are not being met and this is higher among those who are more disabled.

Addressing the long-term needs of people during life after stroke is a priority from both a service provision and a research perspective—many uncertainties remain on how best to address long-term post stroke problems.

The aim of this review was to assess whether the multiple effects of exercise and physical activity correspond with the outcomes considered most important, by patients and carers, for life after stroke.