Rehabilitation effect of the combination of Nordic walking and breathing training during stroke recovery in elderly women

Abstract

Aim. To study the rehabilitation effect of the combination of aerobic and breathing exercise during stroke recovery in elderly women.Material and methods. The study was carried out on the basis of a geriatric home for 3 months. It involved 24 women aged 60-70 years at a long-term period after an ischemic stroke. The physical rehabilitation program for patients with mild neurological consequences consisted of two blocks: respiratory and aerobic exercise. Hemodynamic parameters, respiratory function, and exercise tolerance was assessed.Results. Preliminary examination of women revealed low respiratory reserves. The most significant changes were recorded in relation to bronchial patency. The hypokinetic circulation type with high blood pressure was determined, while the mean dynamic pressure significantly exceeded 100 mm Hg. The implementation of the physical rehabilitation program provided a stable positive effect with an increase in the functional respiratory reserves and exercise tolerance, the optimization of cardiovascular homeostasis. Parameters of bronchial patency increased significantly in comparison to the initial level (p<0,01). Aerobic exercise provided a decrease in the heart rate (p<0,05). The resulting effect of rehabilitation was a decrease in the main hemodynamic parameters, a change in the circulation type with an increase in the cardiac index to 2,10±0,1 l/m2, (p<0,01). In the control group, the rehabilitation effect was less pronounced and mostly associated with a decrease in blood pressure.Conclusion. A long-term stay of patients after ischemic stroke in a geriatric home opens up wide opportunities for effective recovery using rehabilitation programs.