Loading...
Is early initiated cardiorespiratory fitness training within a model of stroke-integrated cardiac rehabilitation safe and feasible?
Machado, Natasha Williams, Gavin Olver, John Johnson, Liam Gerard
Machado, Natasha
Williams, Gavin
Olver, John
Johnson, Liam Gerard
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of an early initiated stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation program.
Methods: People with acute first or recurrent ischaemic stroke, admitted to Epworth HealthCare were screened for eligibility and invited to participate. In addition to usual care neurorehabilitation, participants performed 1) cardiorespiratory fitness training 3-days/week during inpatient rehabilitation (Phase 1), and/or 2) 2-days/week centre-based cardiorespiratory fitness training plus education and 1-day/week home-based cardiorespiratory fitness training for 6-weeks during outpatient rehabilitation (Phase 2). Safety was determined by the number of adverse and serious adverse events. Feasibility was determined by participant recruitment, retention, and attendance rates, adherence to exercise recommendations, and participant satisfaction.
Results: There were no study-related adverse or serious adverse events. Of 117 eligible stroke admissions, 62 (53%) were recruited, while 10 (16.1%) participants withdrew. Participants attended 189 of 201 (94%) scheduled cardiorespiratory fitness training sessions in Phase 1 and 341/381 (89.5%) scheduled sessions in Phase 2. Only 220/381 (58%) scheduled education sessions were attended. The minimum recommended cardiorespiratory fitness training intensity (40% heart rate reserve) and duration (20 minutes) was achieved by 57% and 55% of participants respectively during Phase 1, and 60% and 92% respectively during Phase 2. All respondents strongly agreed (69%) or agreed (31%) they would recommend the stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation program to other people with stroke.
Conclusion: Cardiorespiratory fitness training in line with multiple clinical practice guidelines included within a model of stroke-integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation appears to be safe and feasible in the early subacute phase post-stroke.
Keywords
Cerebrovascular disorders, Stroke, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Exercise, Cardiac rehabilitation
Date
2024
Type
Journal article
Journal
Book
Volume
33
Issue
2
Page Range
1-10
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.