The influence of early aerobic training on the functional capacity in patients with cerebrovascular accident at the subacute stage.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of early aerobic training on the aerobic and functional abilities of patients in the subacute stage of cerebrovascular accident (CVA).


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Rehabilitation unit in Israel.


METHODS
Ninety-two patients who had a first CVA were randomly assigned to an exercise-training group or to a control group.


METHODS
Aerobic training with a leg cycle ergometer for 8 weeks.


METHODS
Workload, exercise time, resting and submaximal blood pressure and heart rate, and functional abilities.


RESULTS
A trend toward improvement was found in all aerobic parameters for the experimental group, but only heart rate at rest (P=.02), workload, and work time (P<.01) improved significantly. A trend for improvement was also found in all parameters of function for the experimental group, but only stair climbing was significantly better (P<.01). An interaction (95% confidence interval, 1.7-17.21) was found between age and aerobic training on walking distance. Although no significant effect was found in the group of younger patients (aged <65y), a significant difference in favor of training was noted in the group of older patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with CVA in the subacute stage improved some of their aerobic and functional abilities after submaximal aerobic training.
Katz-Leurer
Michal
M
Rehabilitation Department, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. michalkz@post.tau.ac.il
Shochina
Mera
M
Carmeli
Eli
E
Friedlander
Yechiel
Y
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D015996:Survival Rate