Effect of Intensified Physical Activity for Patients With Stroke - a Combined Physical and Behavioural Approach
Condition: Stroke
MeSH terms: Stroke
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 1

Summary: 
      Chronic conditions such as stroke are associated with physical disability and an economic
      burden for the family and the society. A medical approach is often not sufficient to address
      the bio-psychological process of chronic disease. Behavioural medicine approaches are often
      needed to improve the treatment outcomes. Those approaches have often successfully been used
      together with physical activity to change health behaviour in inactive individuals and in
      pain management. In this project the combined approach of behavioural medicine principles and
      physical training will be tried on patients who have had a stroke one year ago where it has
      yet only been used scarcely. As the study focus on the individuals' ability to function and
      be active the primary outcome measure is disability. The aim of the study are in a randomized
      controlled study evaluate if a high intense functional exercise program as an group
      intervention under three months can influence functional, psychosocial, anthropometric and
      biochemical factors 3, 6 months and 1 year after the start of the study. Following outcome
      variables will be analyzed:

        1. level of physical activity, motor function and balance

        2. depression and health-related quality of life

        3. body mass index (BMI), metabolic risk profile, inflammation status

        4. number of falls, fall-related self-efficacy and outcome expectations
    

Detailed description: 
      Hife include functional exercises consisting of everyday tasks challenging leg strength,
      postural stability, and gait ability. All exercise shall be performed in weight-bearing
      positions, eg squats and walking over obstacles. HIFE are performed twice a week during 1 h.
      for three months in a group with 6-7 seven patients with stroke. Two physiotherapists lead
      the group and one physiotherapist select exercises for each participant according to their
      functional deficits. The exercises will be progressively increased in load and difficulty.
    

Intervention name(s): High-Intensity Functional Exercise Programmes (HIFE)
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Hife include functional exercises consisting of everyday tasks challenging leg strength, postural stability, and gait ability. All exercise shall be performed in weight-bearing positions, eg squats and walking over obstacles. HIFE are performed twice a week during 1 h. for three months in a group with 6-7 seven patients with stroke. Two physiotherapists lead the group and one physiotherapist select exercises for each participant according to their functional deficits. The exercises will be progressively increased in load and difficulty.
Other intervention name(s): HIFE-training, strenght-training; Intervention group
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: stroke; physical activity; balance; muscle-strength