Table 1 Study inclusion and exclusion criteria

1 Patients who experienced stroke at least 6 months prior to the study period

1 Patients who had previously received BT injections

2 Patients who had spasticity as a stroke sequela

2 Patients with aphasia

3 Patients who lived at home

3 Patients who experienced stroke recurrence within 1 year prior to the beginning of the study

4 Patients who planned to receive a BT injection for the first time

4 Patients with a history of other central nervous system disorders

5 Patients aged 20–85 years

5 Patients who had severe internal impairments that could decrease exercise tolerance

6 Males and females

6 Patients with suspected dementia (who scored less than 23 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or scored less than 20 on the revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale (HDS-R))

7 Patients who could have a daily conversation

7 Patients with depression (with scores of more than 11 on the depression subscale of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD), a score of less than one standard deviation below the mental health subscale of the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) or a score of more than 7 on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30))

8 Patients who clearly understood the process and provided written consent after receiving adequate information about the study

8 Patients who were assessed as unsuitable by the physician in charge of participant recruitment