The Effects of Assisted Ergometer Training
with a Functional Electrical Stimulation
on Exercise Capacity and Functional Ability
in Subacute Stroke Patients
So Young Lee
Department of Medicine
GRADUATE SCHOOL
JEJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Supervised by Professor Kang, Sa-Yoon
Objective: To determine if assisted ergometer training can improve the functional ability and
aerobic capacity of subacute stroke patients and if functional electrical stimulation (FES) of
the paretic leg during ergometer cycling has additional effects.
Methods: Sixteen subacute stroke patents were randomly assigned to the FES (n=8) group or
the control (n=8) group. All patients underwent assisted ergometer training for 30 minutes
(five times per week for 4 weeks). The electrical stimulation group received FES of the
paretic lower limb muscles during assisted ergometer training. Peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak), metabolic equivalent (MET), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), resting and
maximal heart rate (RHR, MHR), resting and maximal blood pressure (RBP, MBP), maximal
rate pressure product (MRPP), estimated anaerobic threshold (AT), submaximal rate pressure
product (SRPP), submaximal rate of perceived exertion (SRPE) and exercise duration (Ex
Dur) were determined with the exercise tolerance treadmil test before and after treatment.
The six minute walk test (6MWT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version of
modified Barthel index (K-MBI) were evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment.
Results: At 4 weeks after treatment, the FES assisted ergometer training group showed
significant improvements in Vo2peak (p=0.02), MET (p=0.02), estimated AT (p=0.02), 6MWT
(p=0.01), BBS (p=0.01) and K-MBI (p=0.01). The control group showed improvements in
only BBS (p=0.01) and K-MBI (p=0.02). However, there was no significant difference in
exercise capacity and functional ability between the two groups.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ergometer training for 4 weeks improved the
functional ability of subacute stroke patients. In addition, aerobic capacity was improved after
assisted ergometer training with a FES only.