
New Cochrane Review shows circuit class therapy improves walking speed, distance, and balance in stroke patients more effectively than conventional physiotherapy. Discover why group-based training may enhance stroke recovery outcomes.

Special care was taken in the course of research to ensure that only high-quality studies with a low risk of flawed results were included in the evaluation. A large number of these publications reported on the benefit of circuit therapy in terms of the improvement in walking ability after stroke. Statistical analyses provide moderate evidence that circuit class therapy is more effective than conventional forms of therapy in terms of the ability to walk further and faster, and with greater independence. Furthermore, circuit therapy seems to have a positive influence on the balance ability of stroke patients.
A decrease in immobility and an earlier discharge from inpatient rehabilitation could not be clearly demonstrated on the basis of statistical calculations. However, the subgroup study shows that circuit therapy has a positive effect not only in the early phase but also in the late phase after stroke. This confirms the assumptions that patients can make progress after stroke for longer than previously established. Further research is needed to find out which patients can benefit the most from circuit therapy and which exercises are the most effective. It is a fact, however, that circuit class therapy is an effective alternative to conventional forms of therapy, although it still receives too little attention in everyday clinical practice.
Circuit class therapy is task-oriented training carried out in groups. Classes consist of at least 3 patients who are looked after by one therapist (care ratio 3:1). Circuit class therapy is characterised by a succession of different exercise stations arranged in one or more circuits, the composition of which is to help patients achieve a specific training goal, such as standing and walking. It therefore includes specific exercise tasks to achieve everyday goals.


- English C, Hillier SL, Lynch EA. Circuit class therapy for improving mobility after stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD007513.
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