High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Ambulatory Chronic Stroke: Feasibility Study.
BACKGROUND
Poststroke guidelines recommend moderate-intensity, continuous aerobic training (MCT) to improve aerobic capacity and mobility after stroke. High-intensity interval training (HIT) has been shown to be more effective than MCT among healthy adults and people with heart disease. However, HIT and MCT have not been compared previously among people with stroke.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and justification for a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing HIT and MCT in people with chronic stroke.


METHODS
A preliminary RCT was conducted.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a cardiovascular stress laboratory and a rehabilitation research laboratory.


METHODS
Ambulatory people at least 6 months poststroke participated.


METHODS
Both groups trained 25 minutes, 3 times per week, for 4 weeks. The HIT strategy involved 30-second bursts at maximum-tolerated treadmill speed alternated with 30- to 60-second rest periods. The MCT strategy involved continuous treadmill walking at 45% to 50% of heart rate reserve.


METHODS
Measurements included recruitment and attendance statistics, qualitative HIT acceptability, adverse events, and the following blinded outcome variables: peak oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold, metabolic cost of gait, fractional utilization, fastest treadmill speed, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Six-Minute Walk Test.


RESULTS
During the 8-month recruitment period, 26 participants consented to participate. Eighteen participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the HIT group (n=13) or the MCT group (n=5). Eleven out of the 13 HIT group participants attended all sessions. Participants reported that HIT was acceptable and no serious adverse events occurred. Standardized effect size estimates between groups were moderate to very large for most outcome measures. Only 30% of treadmill speed gains in the HIT group translated into overground gait speed improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was not designed to definitively test safety or efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Although further protocol optimization is needed to improve overground translation of treadmill gains, a definitive RCT comparing HIT and MCT appears to be feasible and warranted.
P. Boyne, PT, DPT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 3202 Eden Ave, Cincinnati OH 45220-0394 (USA), and Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati. Pierce.Boyne@uc.edu.
Pierce
P
Boyne
K. Dunning, PT, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, and Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.
Kari
K
Dunning
D. Carl, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Daniel
D
Carl
M. Gerson, MD, Departments of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.
Myron
M
Gerson
J. Khoury, PhD, Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, and Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jane
J
Khoury
B. Rockwell, BS, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Bradley
B
Rockwell
G. Keeton, BS, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Gabriela
G
Keeton
J. Westover, BS, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Jennifer
J
Westover
A. Williams, BS, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Alesha
A
Williams
M. McCarthy, PhD, School of Social Work, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati.
Michael
M
McCarthy
B. Kissela, MD, Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati.
Brett
B
Kissela
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking