Efficacy of a fitness centre-based exercise programme compared with a home-based exercise programme in traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of a supervised fitness centre-based exercise programme with an unsupervised home-based exercise programme on cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial functioning in people with traumatic brain injury.


METHODS
Multi-centre, assessor-blinded, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Sixty-two participants with severe traumatic brain injuries, who could walk at a speed exceeding 1 m/sec, discharged from 3 brain injury units.


METHODS
The fitness centre group completed a combined fitness and strength training exercise programme supervised by a personal trainer in a local fitness centre 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The home group completed a similar exercise programme unsupervised at home.


METHODS
Cardiorespiratory fitness measured using the modified 20-m shuttle test.


RESULTS
Both groups improved in fitness: the maximal velocity achieved on the modified 20-m shuttle test increased with intervention and was maintained at follow-up. However, the difference between groups was not significant (mean between-group difference (95% confidence interval) 0 m/sec (-0.6 to 0.6) at the end of intervention). There were also no between-group differences in psychosocial functioning at the end of intervention or at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Both interventions were equally effective at improving cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with traumatic brain injuries.
Hassett
Leanne M
LM
Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. leanne.hassett@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
Moseley
Anne M
AM
Tate
Robyn L
RL
Harmer
Alison R
AR
Fairbairn
Timothy J
TJ
Leung
Joan
J
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome