Power Exercise for Stroke Recovery: The POWER Feasibility Trial (POWER-F)

McMaster University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Power-focused resistance training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05816811

POWER Feasibility

Details and patient eligibility

About

Post-stroke deficits are highly common and functional impairment persists throughout life after stroke. Skeletal muscle mass and strength are fundamental contributors to mobility throughout the adult life course. Stroke-related muscle atrophy contributes to loss of strength, and declines in lower extremity function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and walking independence and post-stroke sarcopenia. Improving the quantity and function of skeletal muscle needs to be an important therapeutic target after stroke. Resistance exercise training (RET) has been shown to increase skeletal muscle mass, strength and power, reduce oxidative stress, improve cardiac function, and better regulate lipids after stroke. However, the feasibility and the effects of a power focused RET program for individuals with stroke need to be examined.

Full description

This study is a single-group, open label trial examining the feasibility and preliminary effect estimates of a 10-week power-focused exercise training program in people living with stroke. Fifteen participants with chronic stroke will participate in the exercise program 3 times per week for 10 weeks at a progressive intensity. The program will take place at a community exercise gym built for older adults and people with physical disabilities. Feasibility outcomes will be assessed throughout the trial. Effectiveness outcomes will be assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention.

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• ≥18 years old
• ≥6 months post-stroke
• Able to walk >10 meters with or without the use of an assistive device
• Living in the community
• Mild to moderate stroke severity (modified Rankin Scale ≤3)

Exclusion criteria

• Any contraindications to exercise for people with cardiovascular disease, such as unstable angina, uncontrolled hypertension, orthostatic blood pressure with exercise, or uncontrolled arrhythmias
• Significant cognitive impairment that would preclude safe exercise participation (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score <26)
• Actively engaged in stroke rehabilitation services

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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15 participants in 1 patient group

Power Training

Experimental group

Description:

The program is intentionally designed with 3 progressive phases: Phase 1 Familiarization (Week 1) will allow participants to begin with a low-intensity version of the training program (body weight resisted or light weights at RPE 2-3 for 8 repetitions) to acclimate participants to the movements. Phase 2 Strength (Weeks 2-5) will progress in loads to achieve volitional fatigue between 5-8 repetitions (RPE 7-9). Phase 3 Power (Weeks 6-10) will use intensities between RPE 4-6 (15-20 repetitions) and execute each exercise at the highest possible velocity to focus on muscle power. The exercises, selected to emphasize functional movements relevant to daily activities.

Treatment:

Other: Power-focused resistance training