title: Feasibility, safety and efficacy of an early aerobic rehabilitation program for patients after minor ischemic stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of an early aerobic rehabilitation program for patients after minor ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight patients, 1-3 weeks post minor ischemic stroke (modified Rankin scale; mRS ≤ 2), were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Measures were taken at weeks 1 and 6. All participants were instructed in home practice to achieve strength and flexibility, and were asked to continue their normal community routine. Intervention group participants performed a supervised exercise training program twice a week for 6 weeks. Exercise capacity was evaluated by the 6-minute walk distance test (6MWD), and the modified Bruce treadmill test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight subjects out of 14 participated in all 12 training sessions, one at less than 50% of the sessions, while five reached the highest stage of the program. No adverse events were noted during the intervention period. In the intention to treat analysis a significant improvement over time was seen for the functional parameters only. No interaction (group*time) was found. According to the per protocol analysis a significant interaction effect was found; only the intervention group participants showed a significant clinical change in the 6MWD test (412 ± 178 meters to 472 ± 196 meters, vs the control group 459 ± 116 meters to 484 ± 122 meters, p< 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An early supervised aerobic training after minor ischemic stroke is feasible and well tolerated and, in a per-protocol analysis, was associated with improved walking endurance. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to assess the effect of such a program on functional abilities, prevention of risk factors, and recurrent stroke.
authors: Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Professions, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors: Adi
authors: A
authors: Toledano-Zarhi
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Tanne
authors: Eli
authors: E
authors: Carmeli
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Katz-Leurer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome