title: ExStroke Pilot Trial of the effect of repeated instructions to improve physical activity after ischaemic stroke: a multinational randomised controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if repeated verbal instructions about physical activity to patients with ischaemic stroke could increase long term physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre, multinational, randomised clinical trial with masked outcome assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stroke units in Denmark, China, Poland, and Estonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  314 patients with ischaemic stroke aged >or=40 years who were able to walk-157 (mean age 69.7 years) randomised to the intervention, 157 (mean age 69.4 years) in the control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients randomised to the intervention were instructed in a detailed training programme before discharge and at five follow-up visits during 24 months. Control patients had follow-up visits with the same frequency but without instructions in physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity assessed with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) at each visit. Secondary outcomes were clinical events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated mean PASE scores were 69.1 in the intervention group and 64.0 in the control group (difference 5.0 (95% confidence interval -5.8 to 15.9), P=0.36. The intervention had no significant effect on mortality, recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, or falls and fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated encouragement and verbal instruction in being physically active did not lead to a significant increase in physical activity measured by the PASE score. More intensive strategies seem to be needed to promote physical activity after ischaemic stroke.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinical Trials NCT00132483.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. gb01@bbh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.forename: Lars-Henrik
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Krarup
authors.forename: Xianrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oskedra
authors.forename: Janika
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kõrv
authors.forename: Grethe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gluud
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindahl
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Truelsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome