Results—In the intention-to-treat multivariate analysis of variance testing the overall effect, the intervention produced
greater gains than usual care (Wilk’s 0.64,P0.0056). Both intervention and usual care groups improved in strength,
balance, upper- and lower-extremity motor control, upper-extremity function, and gait velocity. Gains for the
intervention group exceeded those in the usual care group in balance, endurance, peak aerobic capacity, and mobility.
Upper-extremity gains exceeded those in the usual care group only in patients with higher baseline function.
Conclusions—This structured, progressive program of therapeutic exercise in persons who had completed acute
rehabilitation services produced gains in endurance, balance, and mobility beyond those attributable to spontaneous
recovery and usual care.