From the present systematic review, it may be concluded
that augmented exercise therapy time spent in exercise
training in the first 6 months after stroke results in a small
improvements in ADL. Pooling reported differences in
ADL by applying a fixed and random effects model
showed small but significant SES. The effects were mainly
restricted to therapies focused on the lower limb and ADL
in general, as well as to those studies conducted within the
first 6 months of stroke.
The SES in the cumulative meta-analysis denotes an overall
change of #4% to 5% in favor of more therapy time when a
minimum of at least #16 hours of additional exercise therapy
time is provided. We must acknowledge, however, that the
findings do not allow us to be precise about optimal treatment
contrast. Another important point of discussion is the clinical
significance of such a small finding reflecting only a 1-point
change (5%) in outcome for the Barthel Index in favor of
augmented therapy. Acknowledging that "80% receive exercis