Effects of Aerobic Exercise on the Cerebral Arterial System, Cognitive, and Motor Function in Post-stroke Patients.

Summary

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide and in Hong Kong, 6.2% of all registered deaths in 2020 were due to cerebrovascular disease. Exercise training has the potential to improve the deconditioned hemodynamic, motor, and cognitive functions associated with stroke.

Purpose: The proposed study seeks to investigate the effects of AET on the large intracranial and extracranial cerebral arteries' morphological and haemodynamic features and the cognitive and motor functions in post-stroke chronic patients. Additionally, the study seeks to compare the cerebral arteries' features between post-stroke patients and age-matched controls without stroke. Furthermore, the project seeks to assess the association between the cerebrovascular system changes and the cognitive and motor function changes in post-stroke patients undergoing AET.

Study Design: A Randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which the post-stroke patients will be randomly assigned into three groups consisting of a control group and two AET interventional groups (treadmill and cycle ergometer). Each group will target sample size of 20 participants. The target dosage for the two AET modes will consist of 1.) a session duration=30mins, 2.) frequency=3times/week, 3.) high intensity=(60-84% heart rate reserve (HHR).4.) Types=Treadmill and cycle ergometer 5.) overall program duration=3months.

Data collection methods: Quantitative data on the cerebral arteries' haemodynamic and morphological features will be assessed using duplex carotid ultrasound (DCUS) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound techniques. Montreal cognitive assessment (HK) version and six-minute walk test (6MWT) will assess cognitive and motor functions respectively. The data will be assessed at three time periods of during the 3 months AET program

Significance of the study: The study has the potential to inform the clinical decision making process on the usefulness of AET in improving post-stroke chronic patients. Results on associations will provide a basis for future work in chronic stroke Rehabilitation functional outcome prediction models based on DCUS and TCD ultrasound imaging techniques.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

DEVICE

treadmill exercise

Treadmill exercise is a form of aerobic exercise training that involves the use of a treadmill machine in a structured exercise programs.

DEVICE

Cycle ergometer exercise

Cycle ergometer exercise is a form of aerobic exercise training that involves the use of a stationery recumbent bike in a structured exercise programs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michael TC Ying, PhD · The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-10

Primary Completion

2024-08-31

Completion

2024-08-31

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations