Supervised home-based cardiorespiratory interval training reduces post-stroke fatigue
6 hours ago
A study suggests that working out intensely for a minute three times a week will provide the same benefits as a longer, endurance training.A home-based, supervised cardiorespiratory interval training program (HS-CITP) helps lessen fatigue among stroke survivors, as shown in a study.
The study included 45 participants (mean age 64 years, 56 percent female) with post-stroke fatigue, defined as a score of ≥28 on the Swedish Fatigue Assessment Scale at 1 to 7 months following the index event.
The participants were randomly assigned to undergo either HS-CITP or usual care with self-directed activity (control) after early supported discharge. HS-CITP involved 35-min cycling sessions performed at 70 percent to 80 percent of maximum heart rate and completed three times per week for 8 weeks. The participants wore a heart rate monitor for continuous monitoring of exercise intensity. An experienced physiotherapist supervised all training sessions in the participants’ homes.
The primary outcome was self-reported fatigue at week 8. Peak oxygen uptake was also evaluated. A total of 43 participants completed the study, including 22 in the HS-CITP group and 21 in the control group.
At week 8, self-reported fatigue was significantly reduced in the HS-CITP group relative to the control group (between-group mean difference, −5.35 Swedish Fatigue Assessment Scale score points, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −9.03 to −3.67; p<0.001).
HS-CITP was also associated with markedly improved cardiorespiratory fitness compared with control (between-group difference, 4.48 mL/kg per min, 95 percent CI, 3.41–5.54; p<0.001).
Adherence to HS-CITP was high at 92 percent, and there were no adverse events documented.