Objective  To investigate the effects of clinical pathway combined with impedance exercise on cognitive dysfunction, motor function and quality of life in elderly patients with ischemic stroke.

  Methods  A total of 100 patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group used ordinary rehabilitation intervention, and the observation group used clinical pathway combined with impedance exercise. The incidence of cognitive dysfunction, 6-min walking distance, Rivermead exercise index (RMI), modified Barthel index (MBI), Fugle-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and quality of life were compared in the two groups.

  Results  The incidence of cognitive dysfunction in the observation group was 14.00%, which was significantly lower than 44.00% in the control group (χ²=9.519, P=0.002). Compared with before intervention, 6-min walking distance after intervention was prolonged in both groups, and walking distance in the observation group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the RMI, MBI and FMA scores of upper and lower limbs after intervention were increased in two groups compared with intervention before, and the observation group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of mental health, daily activity function and mental activity function after intervention in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the related scores of physical pain and complications were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Clinical pathway combined with impedance exercise can reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment in the elderly patients with ischemic stroke, enhance their motor function, and improve quality of life.