There were no safety events related to exercise among the study cohort.
"Despite similar cardiovascular risk factors to traditional CR [cardiac rehabilitation] participants and potential health benefits from participation, stroke is not among the covered diagnoses for CR services in the United States. Findings support the use of CR exercise programs for survivors of stroke after rehabilitation to improve endurance, health status, and quality of life," Regan's group concluded.
Patients often engage in physical therapy immediately after stroke but then become less fit during the transition from one-on-one care with a physical therapist to a self-directed exercise routine, they noted.