Task Practice With and Without Aerobic Exercise Improves Health-related Quality of Life and Social Participation Post-stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background:

Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments experienced by individuals post-stroke detrimentally impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Rehabilitation interventions targeting the recovery of motor function aim to improve community reintegration and HRQoL. Aerobic exercise has also been shown to have global effects in individuals post-stroke, positively affecting motor and mood-related outcomes.

Objective:

To determine the effects of forced-rate aerobic exercise (FE) coupled with upper extremity repetitive task practice (RTP) on HRQoL and mood in individuals post-stroke.

Methods:

A rater blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Individuals ≥6 months post-stroke received 90-minute sessions of FE+RTP or time-matched RTP alone, 3×/week for 8 weeks. The Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29), and Centers For Epidemiology Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) were administered at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), EOT+6 months, and EOT+12 months.

Results:

Sixty participants enrolled in the study and 57 completed the self-reported questionnaires (FE + RTP, N = 29; RTP alone, N = 28). Both groups improved significantly at each time point in the following SIS domains: physical problems, feelings, activities of daily living, mobility, hand use, meaningful activities, and overall recovery; and in the participation domain of PROMIS-29. Depressive symptomology as measured by CES-D improved from baseline to EOT+6. There were no significant group differences in any of the outcomes.

Conclusions:

Both interventions were comparably effective in improving HRQoL despite the FE+RTP group receiving only half the dose of RTP compared to the control group (RTP only). Improvements were maintained up to 1 year post-intervention.