The Effect of Endurance Training on Motor and Cognitive Functions and Concentration of Biomarkers in Post-stroke Patients

Poznan University of Physical Education44 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this randomised experimental study is to test the effect of different intensities of aerobic exercise on neurotrophin concentration and functional and cognitive functions in post-stroke patients undertaking a single bout and 3-week exercise programme. The main questions to answer are: 1. What is effect of different intensities of aerobic exercise on functional abilities in post-stroke patients undertaking a 3-week aerobic exercise programme? 2. What is effect of different intensities of aerobic exercise on cognitive functions in post-stroke patients undertaking a 3-week aerobic exercise programme? 3. What is effect of different intensities of aerobic exercise on neurotrophin concentration in post-stroke patients undertaking a 3-week aerobic exercise programme? 4. What is effect of different intensities of 45-min single bout aerobic exercise on neurotrophin concentration in post-stroke patients? The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: moderate-intensity continuous training on a bicycle ergometer and standard neurorehabilitation or low-intensity continuous training on a bicycle ergometer and standard neurorehabilitation. Training on a bicycle ergometer was performed four times a week for 45 min for 3 weeks. Each participant attended individual neurorehabilitation sessions 11 times per week (2 physical therapy sessions from Monday to Friday for 45 min each and 1 session on Saturday for 45 min) during the 3-week intervention. Participants will have pre-tests and post-tests: * blood samples collection (to measure level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor, vascular-endothelial growth factor, irisin), * body mass index * The Graded Cycling Test with Talk Test * 6-Minute Walk Test * Rivermead Motor Assessment * Barthel Index * Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination * Vo2max * Beck Depression Inventory Researchers will compare two groups - moderate intensity continuous group and low intensity continuous group to see if there is a modulating effect of different intensities of exercise in participants' outcomes.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age 21-75 years, * first episode of ischemic stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), * able to walk for 4 m at a self-selected speed independently or with an assistive device (as needed), * be in a stable clinical condition, * able to communicate with investigators, * provided written informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * aphasia, * an unstable cardiac status (e.g., evidence of significant arrhythmia or myocardial ischaemia), * lower extremity claudication, * weight-bearing pain \>4/10, * lower extremity spasticity (i.e., an Ashworth Scale score \>2), other neurological conditions in addition to stroke, * chronic degenerative or inflammatory diagnoses, malignancies, and visuospatial neglect.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in ng/ml

Time frame: Before and after 3-week intervention; pre and post single bout of exercise in the first day of intervention

Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor

Level of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor in ng/ml

Time frame: Before and after 3-week intervention; pre and post single bout of exercise in the first day of intervention

Insulin-like growth factor

Level of insulin-like growth factor in ng/ml

Time frame: Before and after 3-week intervention; pre and post single bout of exercise in the first day of intervention

irisin

Level of irisin in ng/ml

Time frame: Before and after 3-week intervention; pre and post single bout of exercise in the first day of intervention

Vascular-endothelial growth factor A

Level of Vascular-endothelial growth factor A in ng/ml

Time frame: Before and after 3-week intervention; pre and post single bout of exercise in the first day of intervention

The Graded Cycling Test with Talk Test

Cardiorespiratory fitness assessment with the Graded Cycling Test with Talk Test assess submaximal exercise in Watt. Higher Watt means better outcome.