The Effect of an Aerobic Exercise Programme in Stroke Patients

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on the aerobic capacity, the daily functioning, post-stroke fatigue , depression and cardiovascular risk factors in stroke patients.

Conditions

• Cerebrovascular Accident

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic exercise group

The patients continue their regular therapy in the rehabilitation center. They participate in a 12-week programme of aerobic training 30 minutes/session, using a leg cycle bike. Patients will be trained three times a week. The heartrate will vary from 50 tot 75% of their predicted heart rate. Each patient will be provided with an progressive exercise prescription based on 50-75% of their predicted maximum heartrate. Throughout the training sessions the heart rate will be monitored continuously with a polar pulse rate. Within these 12 week exercise programme four information sessions will be offered to patients and relatives about risk factors of stroke, usefulness of an active lifestyle and healthy eating.

BEHAVIORAL

Control group

The patients continue their regular therapy in the rehabilitation center. They participate in a 12-week programme of passive mobilisation of the hemiplegic knee, using a continuous passive motion device. Patients will be trained three times a week, 30 minutes/session.

BEHAVIORAL

Follow-up first aerobic exercise group

The experimental aerobic exercise will be divided in two groups at random after the 12 weeks aerobic exercise programme. The first group will get feedback on how to train further their aerobic capacity within the following 9 months. The second group will not undergo the feedback programme.

BEHAVIORAL

Follow-up control group

No intervention will be offered in a period of 9 months after the passive mobilisation programme

BEHAVIORAL

Follow-up second aerobic exercise group

The experimental aerobic exercise will be divided in two groups at random after the 12 weeks aerobic exercise programme. The second group will not undergo the feedback programme. This group will be measured but not treated with an intervention programme

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiteit Antwerpen

  collaborator OTHER

• KU Leuven

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital, Antwerp

  collaborator OTHER

• University College of Antwerp

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Patrick Cras, prof. dr. · Universiteit Antwerpen

• Yves Vanlandewijck, prof.dr. · KU Leuven

• Hilde Feys, prof.dr. · Catholic University of Antwerp

• Steven Truijen, dr. · University college Antwerp

• Dirk Vissers, dr. · University College of Antwerp

• christel Vanroy, PhD · University College Antwerp

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-02-28

Primary Completion

2010-12-31

Completion

2011-12-31

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations