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BACKGROUND
Standard exercise prescriptions recommend moderate intensity continuous training (MICT)
for stroke patients. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a potentially
effective method for increasing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among clinical populations,
but its effectiveness remains to be demonstrated after stroke. This study aimed to
compare the effect of a 6-month exercise program with either MICT or a combination
of HIIT and MICT and a control group in terms of CRF, cardiovascular risk factors,
functionality, cognitive function, anxiety and depression markers with a 12-month
follow-up in patients with prior ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
METHODS AND RESULTS
This randomized controlled trial included 52 participants (mean age: 69.2 ± 10.7)
divided into 3 groups: HIIT, MICT and control. Forty participants completed the 12-month
follow-up. CRF and secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline after the 6-month
intervention and at a 12-month follow-up. A significant interaction effect (p < 0.001)
indicate that HIIT and MICT programs provide a similar increase of CRF as compared
to the control group. Despite a slight decrease at the 12-month follow-up, this improvement
persists 6 months post-exercise (p < 0.01). The two exercise programs also induced
a comparable increase in self-reported physical activity and cognitive function as
well as a decrease in anxiety and depression markers. Participants in both the HIIT
and MICT programs declared a very good degree of acceptability.
CONCLUSION
This randomized control trial demonstrated that a 6-month combination of HIIT and
MICT program or a standard MICT exercise program induced a similar improvement in
CRF, self-reported physical activity, cognitive functions and anxiety and depression
markers among patients prior ischemic stroke or TIA compared to with a control group,
suggesting that a combination of HIIT and MICT may be an effective alternative to
standard exercise recommendations.
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© 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.
