Powering Up Stroke Rehabilitation Through HIIT

Launched by THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY · Aug 14, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Powering Up Stroke Rehabilitation Through HIIT," is studying how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help improve muscle strength and fitness in people who have had a stroke. The researchers want to see if doing short bursts of intense exercise on a special machine called a recumbent stepper is more effective than moderate exercise or just stretching. They are looking for 66 eligible participants who are between 50 and 80 years old, have had their first stroke within the last 1 to 5 years, and can walk 10 meters independently, either with or without a walking aid.

If you or a loved one decides to participate, you would be randomly placed in one of three groups: the HIIT group, the moderate exercise group, or the stretching group. For 12 weeks, you would attend sessions three times a week, totaling 36 training sessions. Throughout the study, your muscle power, strength, and overall fitness will be measured, along with other health indicators. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and it's important to note that people with certain medical conditions or those currently in rehabilitation programs may not be eligible to join. This study aims to find out if HIIT can make a real difference in recovery for stroke survivors.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • Men and postmenopausal women aged 50-80 years
• • 1-5 years following the first-ever stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography
• • Able to walk 10 meters independently with or without a walking aid
• • Class I or II according to the New York Heart Association Functional Classification (no limitation or slight limitation of physical activity due to symptoms during ordinary physical activity)
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Presence of other neurological comorbidities, significant liver or renal diseases, thyroid or parathyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, or a fracture within the past 6 months
• • Undergoing osteoporosis treatments within the past 3 years, use of oral corticosteroids for more than 3 months within the past year, or botulinum toxin injections in the paretic lower limb within the past 6 months
• • Participation in ongoing stroke rehabilitation services or structured exercise programme
• • Cognitive or communication issues that could limit the ability to follow instructions
• • Contraindications to HIIT, graded exercise testing, or failure to pass medical clearance from a specialist