The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Stroke Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Background: Aerobic exercise training has favorable effects on quality of life, motor recovery, and aerobic endurance after stroke. Objectives: In this study, the investigators aimed to explore the effects of anti-gravity treadmill gait training and underwater walking therapy on cardiorespiratory fitness in stroke survivors.

Detailed Description
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Methods: Seventy patients with a history of stroke were admitted to our center between July 2017 and January 2018. Subjects who participated in the study were randomly assigned to anti-gravity treadmill training, underwater walking therapy, and control group. Investigators examined the aerobic capacity of participants by using the 6-minute walk test and cycle ergometer testing before starting the treatment along with a one-month follow-up. The patient's balance was examined by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Official Title
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The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Functional Capacity, Balance and Ventricular Repolarization Indices in Stroke Patients

Conditions
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Stroke, Cardiovascular

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Functional Capacity, Balance and Ventricular Repolarization Indices in Stroke Patients


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients between the ages of 18 and 80 and diagnosed with stroke and time from stroke onset to admission were longer than three months Independent walking ability more than 10 meters with or without assistance Patients whose cognitive and functional status were suitable for the training program Exclusion Criteria: Had a previous history of stroke Bilateral hemiplegia Leg-length difference >2.0 cm Fixed flexion contracture or severe joint deformity Bladder or bowel incontinence Open wound Cardiovascular complaints and can not tolerate exercise training Other neurological comorbidities including, multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), Parkinson's disease, and intracranial tumors Congestive heart failure Atrial fibrillation (AF), use of antiarrhythmic drugs affecting QT duration, any type of bundle branch block on electrocardiogram (ECG)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Conventional theraphy group<br>13 patients received twenty sessions of conventional therapy for four weeks | Other: The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Functional Capacity, Balance and Ventricular Repolarization Indices in Stroke Patients<br>* Seventy patients with history of stroke admitted to our center between July 2017 and January 2018. Subjects participated in the study were randomly assigned to anti-gravity treadmill training, underwater walking therapy and control group. We examined aerobic capacity of participants by using 6-minute walk test and cycle ergometer testing before starting the treatment along with one month follow up. Patient's balance examined by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Anti gravity treadmill training<br>13 patients received twenty sessions of conventional therapy for four weeks and Alter-G training was performed 3 days/week for 4 weeks, with up to 30 min. of training per session. | Other: The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Functional Capacity, Balance and Ventricular Repolarization Indices in Stroke Patients<br>* Seventy patients with history of stroke admitted to our center between July 2017 and January 2018. Subjects participated in the study were randomly assigned to anti-gravity treadmill training, underwater walking therapy and control group. We examined aerobic capacity of participants by using 6-minute walk test and cycle ergometer testing before starting the treatment along with one month follow up. Patient's balance examined by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Underwater walking therapy group<br>13 patients received twenty sessions of conventional therapy for four weeks and three sessions of aerobic exercise treatment of 45 minutes per week underwater | Other: The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Functional Capacity, Balance and Ventricular Repolarization Indices in Stroke Patients<br>* Seventy patients with history of stroke admitted to our center between July 2017 and January 2018. Subjects participated in the study were randomly assigned to anti-gravity treadmill training, underwater walking therapy and control group. We examined aerobic capacity of participants by using 6-minute walk test and cycle ergometer testing before starting the treatment along with one month follow up. Patient's balance examined by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6-minute walk test | Resting heart rate | Change from baseline resting heart rate at 4 weeks | 
| 6-minute walk test | Maximum heart rate | Change from baseline maximum heart rate at 4 weeks | 
| 6-minute walk test | Length of walking distance | Change from baseline length of walking distance at 4 weeks | 
| Cycle ergometer training | Maximum heart rate | Change from baseline maximum heart rate at 4 weeks | 
| Cycle ergometer training | Period of completion of test | Change from baseline period of completion of test at 4 weeks | 
| Cycle ergometer training | METs scores | Change from baseline METs scores at 4 weeks | 
| Cycle ergometer training | VO2 max | Change from baseline VO2 max at 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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underwater walking theraphy, anti-gravity treadmill training