Exercise intervention soon after stroke onset to prevent muscle atrophy

Objective: To investigate the effects of nurse-led exercise interventions, in addition to standard rehabilitation, on patients suffering from hemiplegia soon after stroke onset. Methods: Interventions involved a series of hip bridges. Efficacy was evaluated by monitoring leg muscle mass. Participants were divided into control, intervention and terminated intervention groups. In addition to standard rehabilitation, the intervention group performed a series of hip bridges once a day. Leg muscle mass was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Measurements were taken 3–5 days after stroke onset, then again 7 days after initial measurement. Results: During the first week, the mean decrease in leg muscle mass on the paralyzed side was 417 g (7%) for the control group, 304 g (6%) for the terminated intervention group and 108 g (2%) for the intervention group. Only the difference between control and intervention groups was significant (P=0.008). Conclusions: Exercise interventions comprising a series of hip bridges soon after stroke onset, in addition to standard rehabilitation, can reduce leg muscle atrophy on the paralyzed side in stroke patients.