BACKGROUND: The paper underscores the growing importance of cardiac rehabilitation in contemporary healthcare due to the persistent burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) on public health. Cardiovascular diseases have wide-ranging consequences, and managing them requires a comprehensive approach involving both short-term recovery and long-term prevention. Cardiac rehabilitation is highlighted as a crucial component, offering a holistic approach to enhance recovery post-cardiac events and reduce the risk of future occurrences. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the impact of two distinct rehabilitation approaches among stroke patients. Participants aged 45 to 70 years diagnosed with ischemic stroke in the subacute stage were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Group X received a stroke-specific rehabilitation protocol, while Group Y received a combined intervention of individualized cardiac rehabilitation in addition to stroke rehabilitation. The study utilized computerized random sampling for participant selection, emphasizing a systematic and unbiased approach. Various outcome measures, including cardiac autonomic function, balance, mobility, cardiovascular fitness, respiratory parameters, and exercise efficiency, were assessed through baseline and post-intervention measurements. RESULTS: The study involved 38 participants in Group X and 37 participants in Group Y. Demographic and medical factors were assessed, including age, stroke type distribution, smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. Significant improvements were observed in Group Y compared to Group X in post-Mean NN and post-RMSSD, indicating enhanced heart rate variability and parasympathetic nervous system activity. Group Y also demonstrated improved respiratory performance, exercise efficiency, and endurance compared to Group X. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that individualized cardiac rehabilitation programs for stroke patients can offer significant benefits, including improvements in balance, mobility, exercise efficiency, and autonomic regulation. The findings underscore the importance of tailored rehabilitation approaches in optimizing recovery, enhancing cardiovascular health, and improving overall well-being in stroke survivors.

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