Exercise Primed Stroke Rehabilitation

Summary

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. and many Veteran stroke survivors live with severe disability. Despite recent advances in rehabilitation treatments many stroke survivors have persistent physical and mental difficulties such as reduced physical and cognitive function and depression. Developing innovative treatments that address these problems is necessary to improve long-term outcomes for stroke survivors. Aerobic exercise (AEx) can improve physical and cognitive function, and reduce depression. Additionally, AEx may enhance physical rehabilitation by making the brain more receptive to, and consequently improving the response to an intervention. Therefore, combining AEx with physical rehabilitation has the potential to improve multiple aspects of stroke recovery. This study will examine the effect of combining AEx with physical rehabilitation on physical and mental function in stroke survivors. By gaining a better understanding of the effects of this combined intervention the investigators aim to advance the rehabilitative care of Veteran stroke survivors.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

DEVICE

Duck Duck Punch

Duck Duck Punch (DDP) is an interactive computer game deliberately designed to enhance UE movement quality via individualized progressive movement practice. DDP is unique as it uses Microsoft Kinect skeletal tracking technology to assess movement performance. The participant sits in front of the Microsoft Kinect and controls a virtual arm with his/her physical arm; reaching forward to "punch" virtual ducks. The goal 'dose' of DDP will be 200 repetitions.

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic exercise

Subjects will perform 15 minutes of aerobic exercise on a recumbent stationary cycle. The target intensity of aerobic exercise is 70% heart rate reserve. Following aerobic exercise subject will play an upper extremity rehabilitation game called Duck Duck Punch.

BEHAVIORAL

Lower extremity stretching

Subjects will perform 15 minutes of lower extremity stretching. Following aerobic exercise subject will play an upper extremity rehabilitation game called Duck Duck Punch.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• VA Office of Research and Development

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Ryan E Ross, PhD · Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-07-01

Primary Completion

2026-09-30

Completion

2027-01-31

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations