Effectiveness of various lower extremity rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life in post-stroke patients

The ability to move the lower extremities in individuals who have suffered from a stroke presents significant challenges to daily mobility and function. We conducted a systematic evaluation to compare the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation following a stroke. We searched six databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Springer, Portal Garuda, and Nature Portfolio) for publications published before November 2023. The researchers recruited stroke patients and used a validated scale to assess lower extremity strength and walking capacity in post-stroke patients. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist to evaluate the quality of the papers that met the inclusion criteria. The PRISMA checklist was used to report the study. We identified nine relevant articles that discussed various rehabilitation methods for stroke patients with lower extremity impairment. We examined the specificity of these results using a statistical parameter. The findings were as follow: Biofeedback cycling (P < 0.001); Pelvic Stability Training (P < 0.05); Exoskeleton for post-stroke recovery of ambulation (ExStRA) (P < 0.05); Aerobic Cycling (P < 0.001); Somatosensory Training (P < 0.001), Lower-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (P < 0.001), Motor imagery with circuit class therapy (P < 0.001), Robotic gait training (P < 0.05), and Early and Intensive (P < 0.001). Various rehabilitation methods discussed in the article demonstrate high effectiveness in improving lower extremity function. These methods include biofeedback cycling, aerobic cycling, somatosensory training, movement therapy, motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit therapy classes, and early and intensive rehabilitation after ischemic stroke.