The influence of early aerobic training on the functional capacity in patients with cerebrovascular accident at the subacute stage.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of early aerobic training on the aerobic and functional abilities of patients in the subacute stage of cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Randomized controlled trial. Rehabilitation unit in Israel. Ninety-two patients who had a first CVA were randomly assigned to an exercise-training group or to a control group. Aerobic training with a leg cycle ergometer for 8 weeks. Workload, exercise time, resting and submaximal blood pressure and heart rate, and functional abilities. A trend toward improvement was found in all aerobic parameters for the experimental group, but only heart rate at rest (P=.02), workload, and work time (P<.01) improved significantly. A trend for improvement was also found in all parameters of function for the experimental group, but only stair climbing was significantly better (P<.01). An interaction (95% confidence interval, 1.7-17.21) was found between age and aerobic training on walking distance. Although no significant effect was found in the group of younger patients (aged <65y), a significant difference in favor of training was noted in the group of older patients. Patients with CVA in the subacute stage improved some of their aerobic and functional abilities after submaximal aerobic training.