High-Intensity Interval Training After Stroke
Trial question
What is the role of high-intensity interval training ≥ 6 months after stroke?
Study design
Multi-center
Open label
RCT
Population
Characteristics of study participants
39.0% female
61.0% male
N = 82
82 patients (32 female, 50 male).
Inclusion criteria: patients aged 40-80 years ≥ 6 months after stroke.
Key exclusion criteria: mRS score > 2; contraindications to exercise testing; class C or D AHA Risk Criteria; other neurological or musculoskeletal comorbidities precluding exercise participation; pain worsened with exercise.
Interventions
N=42 high-intensity interval training (10×1 minute 80-100% HR reserve interspersed with 1 minute 30% HR reserve).
N=40 moderate-intensity continuous training (20-30 minutes 40-60% HR reserve).
Primary outcome
Mean improvement in peak oxygen uptake at 12 weeks
3.52
1.76
3.5 mL/kg/...
2.6 mL/kg/...
1.8 mL/kg/...
0.9 mL/kg/...
0.0 mL/kg/...
High-intensity interval
training
Moderate-intensity continuous
training
Significant
increase ▲
Significantly greater improvement in mean peak oxygen uptake at 12 weeks (3.52 mL/kg/min vs. 1.76 mL/kg/min; MD 1.81, 95% CI 0.58 to 3.04).
Secondary outcomes
No significant difference in mean improvement in 6-minute walk test at 20 weeks (18.54 m vs. 13.1 m; MD 5.44, 95% CI -14.75 to 25.63).
No significant difference in mean improvement in carotid femoral pulse wave velocity at 12 weeks (0.54 m/s vs. -0.51 m/s; MD 1.05, 95% CI -0.06 to 2.16).
No significant difference in mean reduction in SBP at week 20 (1.53 mmHg vs. 1.96 mmHg; MD -0.43, 95% CI -6.48 to 5.61).
Conclusion
In patients aged 40-80 years ≥ 6 months after stroke, high-intensity interval training was superior to moderate-intensity continuous training with respect to mean improvement in peak oxygen uptake at 12 weeks.
Reference
Kevin Moncion, Lynden Rodrigues, Bernat De Las Heras et al. Cardiorespiratory Fitness Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stroke. 2024 Aug 7.
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