This study aimed to examine the physical activity and exercise status of stroke patients in the community after discharge and the need for community-based exercises. This study included 100 community-dwelling patients with stroke in South Korea. The survey investigated the self-assessment of health status and physical activity, demand for community-based exercise after discharge, quality of life, and social participation. Overall, 96% of the respondents recognized the need to exercise, and two-thirds exercised. The third who did not exercise cited disability (29%), lack of facilities (22%), and health concerns (13%); only 21% of participants had ever used a community exercise facility, and their satisfaction with the facility was low. The main reasons for not using community exercise facilities were concerns about accidents during exercise and accessibility issues. Among real-world community stroke patients, those who exercised regularly had higher EuroQol-5D and reintegration to normal living indices than those who did not exercise (p < 0.05). Although community-dwelling stroke patients were highly aware of the need for physical activity and exercise, few engaged in adequate exercise. This lack of engagement is directly linked to identifiable personal and socio-structural barriers. Addressing these barriers will improve the quality of life and social participation of patients with stroke.

This study investigated exercise participation, health status, and barriers to exercise in 109 individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a self-report questionnaire. The responses of the exercise and non-exercise groups were statistically analyzed using t-tests or Fisher’s exact test. Significant differences were observed in the cause of injury and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale between the groups. The non-exercise group had a higher incidence of traumatic and complete injuries. Demographic factors such as gender, age, income level, and marital status did not significantly influence exercise participation. The exercise group reported lower pain scores, less inconvenience from complications, and higher activity and participation scores. However, less than half of the individuals with SCI met the recommended exercise intensity, and community facility usage was low. Barriers to exercise participation included severe disabilities, lack of time, insufficient exercise information, and lack of facility accessibility. To enhance exercise among individuals with SCI, it is essential to develop and extend exercise programs tailored to individual physical factors and a comprehensive understanding of barriers. Prioritizing community-based data management, alongside developing social systems and health policies, is crucial to overcome barriers to exercise participation for individuals with SCI.

Reduced muscle strength can affect trunk muscles on one side of the body and may occur after a stroke. Most trunk stabilization exercises for patients post-stroke are carried out seated, which may not be suitable for patients who cannot sit independently. This study investigated the therapeutic benefits of a cutting-edge balance training device, SBT-330, which can be used in the standing position for patients with compromised balance following a stroke. A total of 33 patients with stroke were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group (n = 19) underwent 30 min of training using the SBT-330 device in conjunction with standard physical therapy, whereas the control group (n = 14) received an additional 30 min of conventional physical therapy. The evaluation metrics included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremities (FMA-LE), and Korean Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS). Following the 4-week intervention, significant improvements were observed in all variables except TUG in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, substantial differences were noted in K-MBI, BBS, and FAC between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). SBT-330 effectively enhanced both walking and balance capabilities in patients with stroke with impaired balance, suggesting its potential as a valuable complement to conventional physical therapy for neurorehabilitation.

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in low levels of physical activity post-discharge. A comprehensive exercise program could be a safe method to increase stroke patients’ physical activity and exercise volume. This pilot study examines the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of a comprehensive exercise regimen for stroke patients residing in the community after discharge. Methods: This single-group pilot study included patients who received inpatient rehabilitation for motor impairment following a stroke. Community-dwelling participants engaged in a comprehensive exercise program, which was structured and individualized, consisting of stretching, aerobic exercise, strength training, and balance exercises, conducted under the supervision of a health exercise specialist in a dedicated living lab within the hospital. The program involved 20 sessions, each lasting 50 min, conducted three to five times weekly. The pre- and post-intervention evaluations were comprehensive, including safety and validity assessments, along with physical function tests such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing and various fitness tests (6 min walk test, timed up and go test, chair stand test, figure-of-8 walk test, grip strength test, and sit-and-reach test). Depression levels were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: A total of 22 subjects were recruited, with 21 completing the study after one dropout due to fatigue and visiting distance. Among the 21 completers, one subject experienced a mild adverse event (hypoglycemia), which was not serious, confirming the program’s safety. The exercise participation rate was 95.5%, and the adherence rate averaged 95.2%, with all completers achieving over 80% adherence. Significant improvements were observed in VO₂ peak (p = 0.000), 6 min walk test (p = 0.000), timed up and go test (p = 0.000), chair stand test (p = 0.000), figure-of-8 walk test (p = 0.000), and grip strength (p = 0.001). However, changes in the peak respiratory exchange ratio (p = 0.078), sit-and-reach test (p = 0.228) and GDS scores (p = 0.275) were not significant. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the comprehensive exercise program is sufficiently safe and valid for stroke rehabilitation patients. The program significantly enhances cardiopulmonary endurance, walking ability, balance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and coordination. Further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is needed to confirm these findings and explore additional benefits.

Background: Idiopathic lower extremity edema, characterized by recurrent swelling without an identifiable underlying disease or medication-related cause, is associated with altered fluid distribution and peripheral circulation. Radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) may influence local thermal and circulatory conditions; however, its short-term effects on edema-related parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term changes in lower extremity volume and related physiological measures following RFD in women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Methods: A randomized, assessor-blinded, sham-controlled crossover study was conducted in 14 women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Participants received both active RFD and sham treatments once daily for three consecutive sessions, with the two treatment periods separated by a 4-week washout period. Leg volume, circumference, body weight, pain intensity, and skin temperature were measured before and after each session. Results: Compared with the sham condition, the active condition was associated with greater reductions in right leg volume (active: −104.0 mL; sham: −14.5 mL; p = 0.013) and left leg volume (active: −81.1 mL; sham: +17.4 mL; p < 0.001). Compared with sham, the active condition also showed greater reductions in pain intensity, body weight, and right calf circumference (all adjusted p < 0.05) and greater skin temperature increases in all regions except the bilateral anterior thighs (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: In women with idiopathic lower extremity edema, the active condition was associated with greater short-term reductions in bilateral leg volume than the sham condition, accompanied by changes in skin temperature and related physiological measures.