Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of 12 weeks of twice-weekly intensive aerobic
exercise on physical function and quality of life after subacute stroke. DESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS: Patients
(N=56; 28 women) aged >/=50 years who had a mild stroke (98% ischemic) and were
discharged to independent living and enrolled 20 days (median) after stroke
onset. INTERVENTIONS: Sixty minutes of group aerobic exercise, including 2 sets
of 8 minutes of exercise with intensity up to exertion level 14 or 15 of 20 on
the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale, twice weekly for 12 weeks (n=29).
The nonintervention group (n=27) received no organized rehabilitation or
scheduled physical exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures
included aerobic capacity on the standard ergometer exercise stress test (peak
work rate) and walking distance on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary
outcome measures included maximum walking speed for 10m, balance on the timed Up
and Go (TUG) test and single leg stance (SLS), health-related quality of life on
the European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D), and participation and recovery after
stroke on the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) version 2.0 domains 8 and 9. Participants
were evaluated pre- and postintervention. Patient-reported measures were also
evaluated at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The following improved significantly
more in the intervention group (pre- to postintervention): peak work rate (group
x time interaction, P=.006), 6MWT (P=.011), maximum walking speed for 10m
(P<.001), TUG test (P<.001), SLS right and left (eyes open) (P<.001 and P=.022,
respectively), and SLS right (eyes closed) (P=.019). Aerobic exercise was
associated with improved EQ-5D scores (visual analog scale, P=.008) and perceived
recovery (SIS domain 9, P=.002). These patient-reported improvements persisted at
6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive aerobic exercise twice weekly early in
subacute mild stroke improved aerobic capacity, walking, balance, health-related
quality of life, and patient-reported recovery.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS