The Feasibility of LVHIIT on Inpatient Stroke Rehab

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · May 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at the safety and practicality of using a special exercise program called low-volume, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for patients recovering from a stroke. The training will take place on a total body recumbent stepper, which is a type of exercise machine that allows you to pedal while sitting down. The goal is to see if this method can help improve fitness during rehabilitation for people who have had a stroke while they are still in the hospital.

To participate in this trial, individuals must be between 18 and 85 years old and have experienced either an ischemic (caused by a blockage) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding) stroke. They should also be able to perform a basic exercise test on the stepper. However, some people may not be eligible, such as those with recent heart issues or certain medical conditions that could affect their ability to exercise safely. Those who join the trial can expect to be closely monitored by healthcare professionals as they try this new exercise approach during their recovery process.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • -Both sexes between the age of 18-85 years at time of consent
• • Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at consent. People with stroke and newly diagnosed cardiovascular complications had \>50% prevalence of recurrent stroke at 5 years. Index stroke or recurrent stroke on same side as index stroke will be allowed.
• • Exercise continuously for minimum of 30 watts for 3 minutes on the recumbent stepper to demonstrate ability to perform the exercise test or therapist confirmation/documentation of participant's ability to use the recumbent stepper.
• • No aerobic exercise contraindications or other safety/physical concerns during the submaximal exercise test determined by the therapy team or inpatient physicians.
• • Able to communicate with investigators, follow 2-step command \& correctly answer consent comprehension questions
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Implanted pacemaker or defibrillator limiting exercise performance
• • Reported pain that limits or interferes with activities of daily living and physical activity/exercise
• • Acute Myocardial Infarction in the last 2 days
• • Ongoing unstable Angina
• • Active Endocarditis
• • Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis
• • Decompensated Heart Failure
• • Acute Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Insufficiency, or Deep Veinous Thrombosis
• • Acute Myocarditis or Pericarditis
• • Other significant neurologic, orthopedic, or peripheral vascular conditions that would limit exercise participation
• • Oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• • Neurological disease (Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease)
• • Pregnancy