Combined Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training on Cognition After Stroke

Summary

The objective of the 'Exploring potential synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognition after stroke' pilot trial is to investigate the combined effects of aerobic and cognitive training on cognition after stroke. This is to lay the groundwork for a larger RCT on the same topic. Twenty patients greater than 6 months post-stroke will be randomly assigned into one of four following treatment groups: (i) aerobic training (AEROBIC group), (ii) cognitive training (COGNITIVE group), (iii) aerobic exercise plus cognitive training (AEROBIC+COGNITIVE group); and (iv) non-aerobic range of motion (ROM) and unstructured mental activity (CONTROL group) (for group descriptions, please see detailed description below). We hypothesize that the combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training will be more effective in improving cognition after stroke than either treatment on its own.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic training

One 20-min session of body weight support treadmill training at moderate to high intensity (60-70% heart rate reserve) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive training

One 20-min session of cognitive training (computerized dual n-back training program) 5 days/week for 6 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Range of motion exercise

One 20-min session of range of motion exercise (non-aerobic passive and active movement of upper and lower extremity) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Unstructured mental activity

One 20-min session of unstructured mental activity (e.g., listening to light novels on tape) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Dalhousie University

  collaborator OTHER

• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

  collaborator OTHER

• Marilyn MacKay-Lyons

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, PhD · Dalhousie University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-10-13

Primary Completion

2017-06-16

Completion

2017-06-16

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations