Twenty two hemiplegic patients who were admitted to Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine for comprehensive rehabilitation treatment were studied in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of an isokinetic exercise program using the Cybex 340 machine.

The subjects were divided into two groups with the control group receiving conventional rehabilitational treatment and the isokinetic exercise group receiving isokinetic exercise to knee flexor and extensor muscles for 6 weeks' period using the Cybex 340 machine in addition to conventional therapy.

The major results are as follows;

1) There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the initial peak torque, total work at 120°/sec, gait speed, Disability Rating Scale score, or Modified Barthel Index score.

2) The peak torque and total work at 120°/sec of both the hemiplegic and sound sides of the isokinetic exercise group increased statistically much more than that of the control group at the end of 6 weeks' training period.

3) The gait speed of the isokinetic exercise group increased more than that of the control group following 6 weeks training.

4) The Disability Rating Scale score of the isokinetic exercise group decreased statistically much more than that of the control group after 6 weeks training.

5) The Modified Barthel Index score of the isokinetic exercise group increased statistically much more than that of the control group after 6 weeks training.

6) The thigh circumference of the isokinetic exercise group increased more than that of the control group.

According to the above results, the addition of an isokinetic exercise program to conventional rehabilitational treatment for hemiplegic patients was very helpful in promoting functional recovery. Many more studies should be planned to establish the best method of carrying out an isokinetic exercise program for hemiplegic patients.