Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of exercise training commenced during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases following a stroke, emphasizing the systematic review aspect.

Key Findings:

• The acute stage exercise training group (ASETG) showed significantly enhanced improvements in FMA scores compared to the subacute stage exercise training group (SSETG) [WMD = 7.95, 95% CI (6.73, 9.16)].
• ASETG also outperformed the chronic stage exercise training group (CSETG) in FMA scores [WMD = 5.31, 95% CI (3.89, 6.72)].
• ASETG demonstrated greater advancements in BBS and MBI scores compared to SSETG [BBS: WMD = 3.64, 95% CI (1.14, 6.15); MBI: WMD = 10.66, 95% CI (9.55, 11.77)].
• SSETG exhibited greater enhancement in ARAT scores compared to CSETG [WMD = 2.70, 95% CI (1.81, 3.59)].

Interpretation:

Initiating exercise shortly after a stroke may enhance functional outcomes, with implications for clinical practice, but results should be approached with caution due to variability and the presence of observational studies.

Limitations:

• Variability in study designs and outcomes may affect the robustness of findings.
• The presence of observational studies may limit the strength of conclusions drawn.
• There is a need for rigorous randomized controlled trials to validate results and address these limitations.

Conclusion:

Early exercise training post-stroke may improve functional recovery, but further research is needed to determine the optimal timing for rehabilitation interventions, focusing on specific phases.