Effects of aerobic exercise using cycle ergometry on balance and functional capacity in post-stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Background Previous studies have shown that aerobic exercise with cycle ergometer improves motor control.Purpose The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis are to evaluate evidence about the effects of aerobic exercise with cycle ergometer on the balance of post-stroke patients, evaluated by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and functional capacity, evaluated by the maximal oxygen intake and six-minute walk test (6MWT).Methods The research was conducted on MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Google Scholar until March 2018 (CRD42015020146). Two independent reviewers performed the article selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. The main outcome was balance assessed by the Berg scale and the secondary outcome was functional capacity of the maximal oxygen intake and the 6MWT. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects method, and mean pre-post intervention difference with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI).Results The review included 5 papers and a total of 258 patients. It was observed that the cycle ergometer did not improve balance in this population (0.03 [−0.57 to 0.64] p = 0.91) or functional capacity in maximal oxygen intake (2.40 [−0.24 to 5.04] p = 0.07) and 6MWT (−40.49 [−131.70 to 50.72] p = 0.38).Conclusions The cycle ergometer aerobic exercise did not seem to improve balance or functional capacity in post-stroke patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAerobic exercise with cycle ergometer does not improve balance in patients after chronic stroke, but the results for functional capacity are more promising.Beneficial changes in functional capacity can be seen after 12–4 weeks of training, and are dependent on the initial level of physical fitness of each individual.The use of the cycle-ergometer to improve balance and functional capacity was not superior when compared to conventional physiotherapy; therefore, a combination of therapeutic modalities would be ideal for rehabilitation and post-stroke patients.