Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training After Stroke (the HIIT-Stroke Study): A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Gjellesvik, Tor Ivar; Becker, Frank; Tjønna, Arnt Erik; Indredavik, Bent; Nilsen, Halvard Knut; Brurok, Berit; Tørhaug, Tom; Busuladzic, Maja; Lydersen, Stian; Askim, Torunn
Peer reviewed, Journal article
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Date
2020Metadata
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Original version
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020, 101 (6), 939-947. 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.02.006Abstract
Objective: To examine if 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in addition to standard care would increase and maintain peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak) more than standard care alone in patients with stroke.
Design: This was a single-blind, multicenter, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Specialized rehabilitation units at 3 Norwegian hospitals.
Participants: Participants (N=70), 3 months to 5 years after first-ever stroke, were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=36) or the control group (n=34); 42% were women, mean age was 57.6±9.3 years, mean time post stroke was 26.4±14.5 months.
Intervention: The intervention was 8 weeks: 3 times a week with HIIT treadmill training with work periods of 4 × 4 minutes at 85%-95% of peak heart rate interspersed with 3 minutes of active recovery at 50%-70% of peak heart rate. The control group received standard care according to national guidelines.
Outcomes: The primary outcome, analyzed by intention-to-treat, was Vo2peak measured as liters per minute 12 months after inclusion. Secondary outcome measures were blood pressure and blood profile.
Results: Mean baseline Vo2peak was 2.63±1.08 L·min−1 vs 2.87±0.71 L·min−1, while at 12 months Vo2peak was 2.70±1.00 L·min−1 vs 2.67±0.76 L·min−1 (P=.068) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. There was a significant and greater improvement in the intervention group compared with the control group at 12 months in 3 of 6 secondary outcomes from the peak test but no significant differences for blood pressure or blood profile.
Conclusions:The HIIT intervention, which was well-tolerated in this sample of well-functioning survivors of stroke, was not superior to standard care in improving and maintaining Vo2peak at the 12-month follow-up. However, secondary results from the peak test showed a significant improvement from before to immediately after the intervention.