Combined aerobic exercise and task practice improve health-related quality of life after stroke: a preliminary analysis

Publication date: Available online 10 December 2018

Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Author(s): Anson B. Rosenfeldt, Susan M. Linder, Sara Davidson, Cynthia Clark, Nicole M. Zimmerman, John J. Lee, Jay L. Alberts

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this project was to determine the effects of lower extremity aerobic exercise coupled with upper extremity repetitive task practice (RTP) on health related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptomology in individuals with chronic stroke.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from two randomized controlled trials.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Participants

Individuals (N=40) with chronic stroke.

Interventions

Participants received one of the following interventions: forced exercise + RTP (FE+RTP, n=16), voluntary exercise + RTP (VE+RTP, n=16), or stroke education + RTP (EDU+RTP, n=8). All groups completed 24 sessions, each session lasting 90 minutes.

Main Outcome Measure

The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) were used to assess depressive symptomology and HRQOL.

Results

There were no significant group-by-time interactions for any of the SIS domains or composite scores. Examining the individual groups following the intervention, those in the FE+RTP and VE+RTP groups demonstrated significant improvements in the following SIS domains: strength, mobility, hand function, activities of daily living, and the physical composite. Additionally, the FE+RTP group demonstrated significant improvements in memory, cognitive composite, and percent recovery from stroke. The HRQOL did not change in the EDU+RTP group. While CES-D scores improved predominately for those in the FE+RTP group, these improvements were not statistically significant. Overall, results were maintained at the four week follow-up.

Conclusion

Aerobic exercise, regardless of mode, preceding motor task practice improved HRQOL in patients with stroke. The potential of aerobic exercise to improve cardiorespiratory endurance, motor outcomes, and HRQOL following stroke justifies its use to augment traditional task practice.

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