Personalized Music-Enhanced Aerobic Training for Patients in Subacute Stroke Recovery

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized music-based aerobic exercise program designed specifically for inpatients in the subacute phase of stroke. All participants will receive the hospital's standard physical therapy program. In addition, the intervention group will participate in 30-minute music-based aerobic exercise sessions, 5 days per week, for a total of 6 weeks.

The aerobic exercises are gentle and adapted to the functional abilities of individuals with subacute stroke. The exercises incorporate rhythmic music to guide movements of the arms, legs, and trunk, with the goal of improving mobility, balance, and mood. Participants will have their heart rate monitored and will be supervised directly by rehabilitation therapists throughout all sessions to ensure safety.

Outcomes will be assessed before and after the 6-week intervention using standardized measures of motor function, balance, depressive symptoms, and independence in daily activities. The study does not interfere with participants' routine medical treatment and does not require discontinuation of any ongoing therapies.

Risks associated with participation are generally mild and similar to those of routine therapeutic exercise, such as muscle soreness, dizziness, or risk of falls. All potential risks will be minimized through continuous supervision by trained healthcare staff. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time.

Potential benefits for participants include improved mobility, better balance, reduced depressive symptoms, increased independence in daily living, and enhanced motivation during rehabilitation through the use of music. The study also aims to provide scientific evidence for the effectiveness of music-based aerobic exercise in stroke rehabilitation in Vietnam.

Conditions

• Subacute Stroke

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic Exercise With Music

A supervised 30-minute aerobic exercise program with music, delivered 1 session per day, 5 days per week for 6 weeks, in addition to standard physical therapy. Exercises are adapted for seated or supported standing stroke patients and include breathing control, neck mobility, shoulder elevation, cross-body arm reaches, elbow, wrist and hand movements, trunk rotation, forward flexion, seated marching, supported standing arm lifts, trunk rotation, high-knee marching, and step-forward/back drills. Music tempo is phase-specific: warm-up 60-70 bpm, main session 80-110 bpm, cool-down 50-60 bpm. Heart rate is monitored with a smart wristband and limited to 60% of the individual target heart rate, calculated using the Karvonen formula.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Physical Therapy

Standard inpatient physical therapy including assisted range-of-motion exercises for upper and lower limbs and trunk, balance training, coordination exercises (30 minutes per session), and occupational therapy for activities of daily living (30 minutes per session). Training is delivered once per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks during hospitalization.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Trịnh Minh Tú

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Minh Tu Trinh, MD · Ho Chi Minh City Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital (Hospital 1A)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-01

Primary Completion

2028-01-31

Completion

2028-05-31

Countries

• Vietnam

Study Locations