High Intensity Interval Training in Chronic Stroke

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Chronic Stroke

Treatments: Other: Moderate intensity continuous training; Other: High-intensity interval training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06474832

NYCU113060AF

Details and patient eligibility

About

Both gait and cardiovascular dysfunction are primary factors limiting community ambulation for stroke individuals. Increased gait variability and asymmetry contributes to a higher risk of falls, leading to reduced physical activity, decreased cardiorespiratory endurance, and increased walking economy and sympathetic nervous system activity, thereby potentially triggering secondary strokes. Previous studies have primarily focused on the significant improvements in walking endurance and speed with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a treadmill, leaving a gap in understanding the effects of HIIT on oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) and gait quality for stroke individuals using a stationary bicycle ergometer with exergaming. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of HIIT using a stationary bicycle ergometer on improving cardiorespiratory fitness and gait quality in individuals with chronic stroke.

Enrollment: 32 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 69 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-69 years
• At least 6 months post-stroke
• Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) ≥ 3
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 24
• Able to walk 10 meters overground with or without assistive devices

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable cardiopulmonary conditions within the last 3 months
• Other chronic neurological disorders
• Contraindications to exercise as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Severe lower limb spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale > 2 points)
• Implanted pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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32 participants in 2 patient groups

High-intensity interval training group

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention is a 42-minute session and 3-sessions/week, totaling 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: High-intensity interval training

Moderate intensity continuous training group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The intervention is a 45-minute session and 3-sessions/week, totaling 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Moderate intensity continuous training