<![CDATA[Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of impairment in the elderly, often resulting in decreased motor function and muscle strength. Effective rehabilitation strategies, including non-pharmacological interventions such as rubber ball grip therapy and walking exercises, are essential for improving independence and quality of life among elderly stroke patients. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining walking exercises with rubber ball grip therapy to improve muscle strength in elderly patients who have experienced a stroke. Methods: The study employed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with a control group. Conducted in April 2025 at a social institution for the elderly in Central Java, the research employed a total sampling approach to recruit 26 respondents, with 13 in the intervention group and 13 in the control group. The intervention was administered four times per week over two weeks. Muscle strength was measured using an observation sheet in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and the Mann–Whitney U Test. Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in muscle strength after receiving the combined therapy (p = .001), whereas the control group showed no significant change (p = 1.000). The Mann–Whitney test indicated a significant difference between the two groups (p < .001), confirming the intervention's effectiveness. Conclusion and Recommendation: The combination of walking exercises and rubber ball grip therapy effectively improves muscle strength in elderly stroke patients. This intervention is straightforward, low-cost, and can enhance independence, making it suitable for implementation in geriatric nursing practice. Future studies should consider larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods.]]>
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