EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE TRAINING IN IMPROVING MOTOR CONTROL ASSESSED BY THE FUGL-MEYER SCALE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC POST-STROKE CONDITIONS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of chronic disability worldwide, resulting in motor impairments that directly affect an individual’s autonomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of progressive resistance training on motor control in patients with chronic stroke through an integrative review based on the Fugl-Meyer Scale. Data were collected from PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar using controlled DeCS/MeSH descriptors, including articles published between 2020 and 2025 in Portuguese and English. Initially, 64 studies were identified, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and removing duplicates, 7 clinical trials and experimental studies were selected for the final sample. The results demonstrated that progressive resistance training significantly improves motor control without exacerbating spasticity, while also reducing muscle atrophy and preventing sarcopenia. The combination of resistance training with task-oriented approaches, serious games, and neuromodulation (for lower limbs) further enhanced functional outcomes. It is concluded that progressive resistance training is an effective strategy for motor rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients, as reflected in improved Fugl-Meyer Scale scores, although the literature highlights the need for better standardization of training loads and discusses the scale’s sensitivity in patients with severe impairments.