title: High- and low-intensity exercise do not improve cognitive function after stroke: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of high versus low-intensity exercise on cognitive function following stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors.
  
  
  METHODS
  50-80 years old, living in the community, > 1 year post-stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized into a high-intensity Aerobic Exercise or low-intensity non-aerobic Balance/Flexibility program. Both programs were 6 months long, with 3 60-min sessions/week. Verbal item and working memory, selective attention and conflict resolution, set shifting were assessed before and after the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven participants completed the study (22/25 in Aerobic Exercise group, 25/25 in Balance/Flexibility group). There was an improvement in verbal item memory in both groups (time effect p = 0.04), and no between-group differences in improvement in the other outcomes (p > 0.27). There was no association between pre-exercise cognitive function and post-exercise improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to a small body of previous research suggesting positive benefits of exercise on cognition post-stroke, the current study found that 6 months of high or low intensity exercise was not effective in improving cognitive function, specifically executive functions. Further research in this area is warranted to establish the effectiveness of post-stroke exercise programs on cognition, and examine the mechanisms that underlie these changes.
authors: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, L8S 1C7 Hamilton, Canada. atang@mcmaster.ca.
authors: Ada
authors: A
authors: Tang
authors: Janice J
authors: JJ
authors: Eng
authors: Andrei V
authors: AV
authors: Krassioukov
authors: Teresa S M
authors: TS
authors: Tsang
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Liu-Ambrose
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D056344:Executive Function; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*