Moderate-Intensity Exercise Versus High-Intensity Interval Training to Recover Walking Post-Stroke

Summary

The objective of this study is to determine the optimal training intensity and the minimum training duration needed to maximize immediate improvements in walking capacity in chronic stroke. A single-blind, phase II, 3-site randomized controlled trial has been planned. Fifty persons \>6 months post stroke will randomize to either moderate-intensity aerobic locomotor training or high-intensity interval locomotor training; each for 45 minutes, 3x/week for up to 36 total sessions over approximately 12 weeks. Clinical measures of walking function, aerobic fitness, daily walking activity and quality of life will be assessed at baseline (PRE) and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of training (POST-4WK, POST-8WK, POST-12WK).

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Training

Overground and treadmill walking with speed continuously adjusted to maintain a target heart rate of 40 +/- 5% heart rate reserve, progressing up to 55 +/- 5% heart rate reserve.

BEHAVIORAL

High-Intensity Interval Training

Overground and treadmill walking with 30 second bursts at maximum speed alternated with 30-60 second passive recovery periods. Intended to achieve a target average heart rate above 60% heart rate reserve.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Delaware

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Kansas Medical Center

  collaborator OTHER

• Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

  collaborator OTHER

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Cincinnati

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Pierce Boyne, DPT, PhD · University of Cincinnati

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-01-04

Primary Completion

2022-04-25

Completion

2022-04-25

Countries

• United States

Study Locations