Key result
Aerobic walking cuts systolic BP ~9 mmHg and improves cardiovascular risk markers in stroke survivors.
Why the study?
Most rehabilitation interventions after stroke focus on sensorimotor function, with fewer efforts to control cardiovascular risk factors in non-ambulatory stroke survivors who are prone to cardiovascular disease.
Does a low intensity aerobic walking exercise improve cardiovascular risk factors in non-ambulatory stroke survivors?
Does a low intensity aerobic walking exercise improve cardiovascular risk factors in non-ambulatory stroke survivors?
An 8-week assisted aerobic walking exercise program significantly improved HbA1c, resting heart rate, and blood pressure in non-ambulatory stroke survivors.
Should not yet change practice; hypothesis-generating for assisted walking benefits in non-ambulatory stroke survivors.
Background: Most rehabilitation interventions after stroke are designed to improve sensorimotor function.While 75% of stroke survivors are prone to having cardiovascular disease, fewer efforts were made to control cardiovascular risk factors after stroke, especially in non-ambulatory ones.Objectives: This pilot study aimed to examine the trends of a low intensity aerobic walking exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in non-ambulatory stroke survivors using a treadmill, body weight support system, and walking assistive device.Methods: Nine non-ambulatory stroke survivors (age: 61.8±13.6 years, 5 men, 8 with ischemic stroke) completed the aerobic walking exercise (three sessions/week for eight weeks).8 of them had right hemiparetic side and hypertension, and 3 of them had diabetes.The time since stroke was 27.0±14.3months.Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), resting Heart Rate (rHR), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and serum level of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) were measured pre-and post-intervention.Results: There were significant changes in HbA1c (from 6.1±0.9 to 5.6±0.7 %), rHR (from 72.6±11.5 to 68.2±12.5 beats/ minute), SBP (from 143±14 to 134.1±19 mmHg) and DBP (from 86.9±11 to 82±7 mmHg) pre-and post-intervention.LDL level did not change significantly (from 103.1±23.1 mg/dl to 101.4±22.8mg/dl, p=0.37).Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that the aerobic walking exercise may improve cardiovascular risk factors in nonambulatory stroke survivors by decreasing the HbA1c, rHR, SBP, and DBP.
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A 2019 study studied Non-ambulatory stroke (n=9). Low intensity aerobic walking exercise vs. Pre-intervention baseline was evaluated on Cardiovascular risk factors (HbA1c, rHR, SBP, DBP, LDL). An 8-week aerobic walking exercise program significantly reduced HbA1c (6.1% to 5.6%), resting heart rate, systolic (143 to 134.1 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure in stroke survivors.
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