Report: Exercise crucial for stroke recovery
Cork Stroke Support has made an urgent call for greater investment to help develop community rehabilitation services, including increased availability of online exercise resources and community partnerships.
It comes as Cork Stroke Support and Rethink Ireland launched a new report showing that exercise is crucial for stroke recovery. However, the report shows that community rehabilitation services remain underdeveloped, inconsistent and often inaccessible in Ireland.
Research shows when exercise is done at the correct intensity it prevents chronic diseases, strengthens bones and promotes longer life span and health span. Yet, the report shows that there is very limited opportunity for those with moderate to severe impairment to exercise effectively and safely which leads to loss of fitness, loss of strength and a consequent predisposition to falls.
According to the report, stroke is a leading cause of disability with an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 people living with stroke-related disabilities in Ireland.
The number of people affected by stroke is putting significant strain on the country’s health system and research predicts that new cases of stroke could rise by up to 59% in the next two decades. It is further estimated that stroke may account for up to 4% of healthcare costs.
Cork Stroke Support, in partnership with Rethink Ireland, set up a moderate-intensity exercise programme that provides group exercise classes for seven weeks. The class concentrates on upper and lower limb strengthening, balance exercises, and aerobic conditioning.
Sarah Slattery is physiotherapy lead at Cork Stroke Support and runs the only dedicated gym for stroke survivors in Munster.
She said: “The results of the Rethink Ireland programme show both clinical and statistically significant changes across all three domains of balance, fitness and strength. This absolutely means a translation to increase in function and lower risk of falls.
“But also, given the huge body of research, stating heavily that ‘exercise is medicine’ we can confidently hypothesise that our members are not just physically healthier but also healthier overall. The cost benefit, to the state and HSE, of keeping stroke survivors off the floor, out of A&E and out-patient clinics, and in their homes living independently as long as possible, cannot be understated.”
Mark Exshaw, participant in the Rethink programme added: “I started exercising at the gym at Cork Stroke Support under the guidance of Sarah and the team and my life has changed dramatically since then. I am now confident about taking on every day activities and the exercise group gives me great social interaction and support every week.”