title: Adapted low intensity ergometer aerobic training for early and severely impaired stroke survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial to explore its feasibility and efficacy.
abstract: [Purpose] To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of adapted low intensity ergometer aerobic training for early and severely impaired stroke survivors. [Subjects] The subjects were forty-eight early stroke survivors. [Methods] Eligible subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Both groups participated in comprehensive rehabilitation training. Low intensity aerobic training was only performed by the experimental group. Outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer motor score, Barthel index, exercise test time, peak heart rate, plasma glucose level and serum lipid profiles. [Results] Patients in the experimental group finished 88.6% of the total aerobic training sessions prescribed. In compliant participants (adherence≥80%), aerobic training significantly improved the Barthel index (from 40.1±21.1 to 79.2±14.2), Fugl-Meyer motor score (from 26.4±19.4 to 45.4±12.7), exercise test time (from 12.2±3.62 min to 13.9±3.6 min), 2-hour glucose level (from 9.22±1.16 mmol/L to 7.21±1.36 mmol/L) and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistence index (from 1.72±1.01 to 1.28±0.88). [Conclusion] Preliminary findings suggest that early and severely impaired stroke patients may benefit from low intensity ergometer aerobic training.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Therapy Department, The Second Medical School of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Zun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Therapy Department, The Second Medical School of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Therapy Department, The Second Medical School of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
authors.forename: Hongjuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, China.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Zhaohua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Aerobic training; Early and severely impaired stroke hemiplegia; Feasibility and efficacy