Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of an early
aerobic rehabilitation program for patients after minor ischemic stroke. Design:
Randomized control trial. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients, 1-3 weeks post minor
ischemic stroke (modified Rankin scale; mRS </= 2), were randomly assigned to
intervention or control groups. Measures were taken at weeks
1 and 6. All
participants were instructed in home practice to achieve strength and
flexibility, and were asked to continue their normal community routine.
Intervention group participants performed a supervised exercise training program
twice a week for 6 weeks. Exercise capacity was evaluated by the 6-minute walk
distance test (6MWD), and the modified Bruce treadmill test. RESULTS: Eight
subjects out of 14 participated in all 12 training sessions, one at less than 50%
of the sessions, while five reached the highest stage of the program. No adverse
events were noted during the intervention period. In the intention to treat
analysis a significant improvement over time was seen for the functional
parameters only. No interaction (group*time) was found. According to the per
protocol analysis a significant interaction effect was found; only the
intervention group participants showed a significant clinical change in the 6MWD
test (412 +/- 178 meters to 472 +/- 196 meters, vs the control group 459 +/- 116
meters to 484 +/- 122 meters,
p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
An early supervised aerobic
training after minor ischemic stroke is feasible and well tolerated and, in a
per-protocol analysis, was associated with improved walking endurance. Further
studies with a larger sample size are needed to assess the effect of such a program on functional abilities, prevention of risk factors, and recurrent stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS