Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Intermittent Functional Training on Cardiovascular Fitness, Physical Function and Cognition in Stroke.

Riphah International University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Group A: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT); Other: Group B: Intermittent Functional Training (IFT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07274748

REC/0271 Shamama Naqvi

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to determine comparative effects of High intensity interval training versus Intermittent functional training on cardiovascular fitness, physical function and cognition in stroke.

Full description

This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at General Hospital Lahore over the duration of ten months enrolling six months post stroke survivors. The 52 patients will be recruited through non-probability convenience sampling technique and will be randomly assigned to either the HIIT or IFT group through online randomizer tool. Both groups will undergo a 12-week intervention, consisting of three sessions per week with alternate-day training. The HIIT group will perform three sessions per week 30 minutes in total with each session consisting of 5 min intervals at 85-95% of their maximum heart rate, with 3-minute active recovery periods, while IFT group will perform three sessions per week 30 minutes in total with each session consisting of 6-9 circuits of task-oriented exercises both including a 5-min warm-up and cool down period. Data will be collected through different assessment tools including NIHSS (The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) to assess the severity of stroke, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for cardiovascular fitness, MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment or The MoCA Test) for cognition and Berg-balance scale (BBS) and TUG (Time Up and Go Test) for mobility and physical function

Enrollment: 52 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:• Age 50-75 years

• Both male and female stroke patients are included.
• Unilateral stroke experienced greater than 6 months prior to enrollment
• NIHSS: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (a score of 5 to 15 represents a moderate stroke)
• Able to walk 10 minutes over ground with assistive devices as needed without physical assistance
• Able to walk 3 minutes on the treadmill at greater than 0.3 mph with no aerobic exercise contraindications.
• Stable cardiovascular condition (American Heart Association class B)
• Not currently participating in formal rehabilitation.

Exclusion Criteria:• Significant resting ECG abnormalities

• Diagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities
• Evidence of myocardial ischemia or significant arrhythmia on stress test hospitalization for cardiac or pulmonary disease within the previous 3 months, pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
• Lower extremity (LE) claudication
• Unable to communicate with investigators or correctly answer consent comprehension questions
• Severe LE spasticity (Ashworth scale score >2)
• LE weight-bearing pain >4/10 on a visual analog scale.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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52 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Experimental group

Description:

The HIIT group will engage in session of alternating high-intensity and low-intensity exercise. * Total Duration: 30-35 minutes per session * Frequency: 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) * Duration of program: 12 weeks * Intensity: Fastest safe walking speed or 85%-95% heart rate reserve * Exercise mode: Treadmill Session structure: 1. Warm-up 1. Activity: Light walking/jogging 2. Duration: 5 min 3. Intensity: Low intensity, 40-50% of maximum heart rate. 2. Main workout: (Interval training) 1. Repetitions: 6-10 intervals 2. Structure: High-Intensity Phase: 1. Activity: sprinting or fast running pace 2. Duration: 5 min 3. Intensity: 85-95% of maximum heart rate Recovery phase: 1. Activity: walking/slow jogging 2. Duration: 1-2 mins 3. Intensity: 50-60% of max heart rate c. Interval pattern: 5 min high intensity, followed by 1-2 min recovery. d. Total High-Intensity Duration: 4x5=20 minutes e. Total Recovery Period: 4x2=8 minutes 4. Cool Down: 1. Activity:

Treatment:

Other: Group A: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Group B: Intermittent Functional Training (IFT)

Experimental group

Description:

IFT group will engage in session of task-oriented exercises (3 different tasks per circuit) focused on improving functional ability. * Total Duration: 30 minutes/session; 6-9 circuits of 3 minutes each * Frequency: 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) * Duration of program: 12 weeks. * Intensity: maintain heart rate 30-50 beats per minute above resting levels. * Exercise mode: task-oriented functional exercises such as * Rolling side to side on a mat * Moving from lying to sitting and sitting to standing * Stepping and transferring from standing to the floor and back Session structure: 1. Warm-up 1. Activity: Light walking/jogging 2. Duration: 5 min 3. Intensity: Low intensity 40-50% of maximum heart rate. 2. Main workout: (IFT circuits) * Circuit 1 (3 minutes) Task 1: Rolling side to side on a mat (1 minute). Task 2: Moving from lying to sitting (1 minute). Task 3: Standing up from a chair (1 minute). Rest (30-60 seconds). * Circuit 2 (3 minutes): Task 1: Stepping onto a

Treatment:

Other: Group B: Intermittent Functional Training (IFT)