The effect of early aerobic training on independence six months post stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether early aerobic training has a beneficial effect on stroke patients' independence in daily and social activities six months after the event.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
Ninety-two patients after a first stroke.


METHODS
Forty-six patients participated in an eight-week programme of aerobic training, using a leg cycle ergometer.


METHODS
Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) measured twice, at entry to programme (pre-event score) and six months after the onset of the event.


RESULTS
Despite the significant improvement of study group patients' functional abilities immediately after the intervention compared with controls, no significant difference was found in FAI mean score between groups six months post event. An interaction effect was noted between event severity, intervention and FAI total score. Mean FAI score declined significantly less in the less severely impaired study group patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Early, moderately intense aerobic training has no direct impact on independence in daily and social activities as measured by FAI total score six months after a stroke.
Katz-Leurer
Michal
M
Rehabilitation Department, Hadassah University Hospital, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Professions, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel. michalkz@post.tau.ac.il
Carmeli
Eli
E
Shochina
Mara
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D016552:Ergometry; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome