OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of high versus low-intensity exercise on cognitive function following stroke. DESIGN: Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors. SUBJECTS: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.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of high versus low-intensity exercise on cognitive function following stroke. DESIGN: Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors. SUBJECTS: 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: Lauren E Oberlin; Aashna M Waiwood; Toby B Cumming; Anna L Marsland; Julie Bernhardt; Kirk I Erickson Journal: Stroke Date: 2017-09-20 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Bruce Crosson; Benjamin M Hampstead; Lisa C Krishnamurthy; Venkatagiri Krishnamurthy; Keith M McGregor; Joe R Nocera; Simone Roberts; Amy D Rodriguez; Stella M Tran Journal: Neuropsychology Date: 2017-08-31 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Liam Johnson; Emilio Werden; Chris Shirbin; Laura Bird; Elizabeth Landau; Toby Cumming; Leonid Churilov; Julie A Bernhardt; Vincent Thijs; Amy Brodtmann Journal: Eur Stroke J Date: 2018-07-10
Authors: John R Best; Janice J Eng; Jennifer C Davis; Robin Hsiung; Peter A Hall; Laura E Middleton; Peter Graf; Charles H Goldsmith; Teresa Liu-Ambrose Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-03-17 Impact factor: 2.692