Effect of cycling exercise on motor excitability and gait abnormalities in stroke patients

Abstract

Background: The concepts of brain excitability are still re-wiring in response to changes in environment. Ambulation is often limited in stroke patients. Objective: To determine the effect of cycling exercise on motor excitability and consequences on spatiotemporal gait parameters in stroke patients. Methods: Forty male ischemic stroke patients were included; their age ranged from 45 to 60 years. The patients were assigned into two equal groups: control group (GI) and study group (GII). The GI is treated by a design physical therapy program in the form of task-oriented progressive resistance exercise for lower limb muscles, and the GII is treated by the same program in addition to cycling exercise for 30 min. Treatment was conducted three times per week for 10 weeks. The excitability over motor area (Cz) was assessed by the quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG). The spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed by the Biodex Gait Trainer 2TM. Results: There was a significant increase of speed, step cycle, and step length of the affected side (P < 0.05) and a non-significant difference of step length of the non-affected side in the study group compared with that of the control group (P > 0.05). There was a significant increase of excitability over motor area (Cz) in the study group compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Cycling exercise has a positive effect on excitability over motor area of lower limbs and can improve gait parameters in stroke patients.