Physical Capacity Training for Stroke

Overseen By Ryan E Ross, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Psychotropics

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Unstable arrhythmias, Severe hypertension, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 36

Duration: 12 weeks

76 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a modified cardiac rehabilitation program can aid stroke survivors. The main focus is on enhancing physical and emotional well-being through exercise, similar to treatments for heart disease patients. Participants will engage in a series of exercise sessions designed to boost recovery. The trial seeks individuals who had a stroke at least six months ago, can walk unaided, and are not currently on antidepressants or have had no recent changes in their medication. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could improve recovery options for stroke survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you have not changed doses of psychotropic medications (medications affecting mood, perception, or behavior) for at least 4 weeks before the study, or 6 weeks if you started a new medication. Other medications are not specifically mentioned, so it's best to discuss with the trial team.

What prior data suggests that this physical capacity training is safe for stroke survivors?

Research has shown that high-intensity exercise can safely and effectively improve heart and lung health in people who have had a stroke. This finding encourages those considering physical capacity training, a modified form of cardiac rehab. Studies have demonstrated that this training can enhance fitness and muscle strength in stroke survivors.

Another study found that exercise-based rehab can increase cardiovascular endurance and overall health for stroke survivors. It is also associated with a better quality of life. Starting therapy soon after a stroke is important, as it can lead to better recovery outcomes.

In summary, while every treatment carries some risks, current research supports the safety of physical capacity training for stroke recovery. It appears to be well-tolerated and beneficial for many people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard of care for chronic stroke, which often includes medications and basic physical therapy, physical capacity training is a comprehensive program that combines aerobic and resistance exercises. Researchers are excited because this approach is modeled after cardiac rehabilitation, which has shown success in improving heart health and could similarly enhance recovery and physical function in stroke patients. By attending 36 sessions, participants have the opportunity for consistent, targeted exercise, which may lead to more significant improvements in their physical capacity compared to traditional therapies.

What evidence suggests that physical capacity training might be an effective treatment for stroke?

Research has shown that exercise programs greatly aid stroke recovery. Studies have found that aerobic exercises, which improve heart and lung health, and resistance exercises, which build strength, enhance fitness and walking ability. Customized rehabilitation programs can also improve balance, walking style, and muscle strength. Evidence indicates that this training increases endurance, helping individuals remain active longer. In this trial, participants will undergo physical capacity training, a comprehensive modified cardiac rehabilitation program, which promises to improve both physical and mental recovery after a stroke. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ryan Ross

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for stroke survivors aged 18-70, who can walk unassisted and have no severe cognitive impairments. It's open to those with mild depression but not on recent antidepressants or with a suicide attempt in the past 2 years. Participants must not be enrolled in other rehab trials and should have had their stroke at least 6 months ago.

Inclusion Criteria

HDRS17 question #3 and PHQ-9 question #9 regarding suicide ≤ 2

I can walk on my own without help or devices at various speeds.

Provision of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Attempt of suicide in the last 2 years or suicidal risk assessed by depression screening

I have had a blood clot in my leg or lung in the last 6 months.

Current enrollment in a rehabilitation trial to enhance motor, cognitive and or psychosocial recovery

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a 12-week modified cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise

12 weeks

36 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Physical Capacity Training for Chronic Stroke

Trial Overview The study tests a modified cardiac rehabilitation program designed for chronic stroke patients, focusing on improving aerobic capacity and muscle strength. The goal is to see if it helps with physical issues as well as psychosocial problems that may accompany stroke recovery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Physical capacity training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Physical capacity training is a comprehensive modified cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise. Participants will attend a total of 36 sessions of training.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12359817/

OPTIMIZING PHYSICAL FITNESS IN CHRONIC STROKE ... This study examined the effects of various exercise training modalities on cardiorespiratory fitness and walking ability in stroke survivors. Data from 38 ...

2. medicaljournalssweden.se medicaljournalssweden.se/jrm/article/view/43359

Optimizing physical fitness in chronic stroke patients: the ... High-intensity and mixed training programs yield greater maximal fitness improvements, while moderate intensity benefits sub-maximal capacity.

3. obrienphysicaltherapy.net obrienphysicaltherapy.net/blog/post-stroke-rehabilitation-outcomes-statistics-on-physical-therapy-effectiveness

Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes: Statistics on Physical ... Evidence consistently shows that tailored rehabilitation programs can enhance functional outcomes such as balance, gait, and muscle strength.

4. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/str.0000000000000022

Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for ... This scientific statement provides an overview of the evidence on physical activity and exercise recommendations for stroke survivors.

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1646328/full

Physical activity interventions for post-stroke cognitive ... Research has shown that resistance exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance in stroke patients, thereby increasing their ability to ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12366500/

Effects of high-intensity exercise on rehabilitation ... (35) reported that high-intensity exercise benefits the cardiopulmonary health of stroke survivors and may be a safe and effective intervention ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07039305

Physical Capacity Building for Chronic Stroke The purpose of this project is to examine the effects of Physical Capacity training for ChroniC stroke - Building Aerobic capacity and Muscle Strength (PC3-BAMS) ...

8. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.017907

Integrating Survivors of Stroke Into Exercise‐Based ... Exercise‐based CR has the potential to improve cardiovascular endurance, health status, and quality of life for survivors of stroke.

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1052305722000192

Stroke Recovery Program with Modified Cardiac ... A comprehensive stroke recovery program incorporating modified cardiac rehabilitation had decreased all-cause mortality, improved overall function, and ...