The acute effects of aerobic exercise on sensorimotor adaptation in chronic stroke

Background: Sensorimotor adaptation, or the capacity to adapt movement to changes in the moving body or environment, is a form of motor learning that is important for functional independence (e.g., regaining stability after slips or trips). Aerobic exercise can acutely improve many forms of motor learning in healthy adults. It is not known, however, whether acute aerobic exercise has similar positive effects on sensorimotor adaptation in stroke survivors as it does in healthy individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether acute aerobic exercise promotes sensorimotor adaptation in people post stroke. Methods: A single-blinded crossover study. Participants attended two separate sessions, completing an aerobic exercise intervention in one session and a resting control condition in the other session. Sensorimotor adaptation was assessed before and after each session, as was brain derived neurotrophic factor. Twenty participants with chronic stroke completed treadmill exercise at mod-high intensity for 30 minutes. Results: Acute aerobic exercise in chronic stroke survivors significantly increased sensorimotor adaptation from pre to post treadmill intervention. The 30-minute treadmill intervention resulted in an averaged 2.99 ng/ml increase in BDNF levels (BDNF pre-treadmill = 22.31 + /–2.85 ng/ml, post-treadmill was = 25.31 + /–2.46 pg/ml; t(16) = 2.146, p = 0.048, cohen’s d = 0.521, moderate effect size). Conclusions: These results indicate a potential role for aerobic exercise to promote the recovery of sensorimotor function in chronic stroke survivors.

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A Comparative Study of Conventional Physiotherapy versus Robot-Assisted Gait Training Associated to Physiotherapy in Individuals with Ataxia after Stroke

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2018/2892065 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Marcia Belas dos Santos ◽

Clarissa Barros de Oliveira ◽

Arly dos Santos ◽

Cristhiane Garabello Pires ◽

Viviana Dylewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Daily Living ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Gait Training ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Registration Number ◽

One Year

Objectives. To assess the influence of RAGT on balance, coordination, and functional independence in activities of daily living of chronic stroke survivors with ataxia at least one year of injury.Methods. It was a randomized controlled trial.The patients were allocated to either therapist-assisted gait training (TAGT) or robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT). Both groups received 3 weekly sessions of physiotherapy with an estimated duration of 60 minutes each and prescribed home exercises. The following outcome measures were evaluated prior to and after the completion of the 5-month protocol treatment: BBS, TUG test, FIM, and SARA. For intragroup comparisons, the Wilcoxon test was used, and the Mann–Whitney test was used for between-group comparison.Results. Nineteen stroke survivors with ataxia sequel after one year of injury were recruited. Both groups showed statistically significant improvement (P<0.05) in balance, functional independencein, and general ataxia symptoms. There were no statistically significant differences (P<0.05) for between-group comparisons both at baseline and after completion of the protocol.Conclusions. Chronic stroke patients with ataxia had significant improvements in balance and independence in activities of daily living after RAGT along with conventional therapy and home exercises. This trial was registered with trial registration number39862414.6.0000.5505.

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The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Speed and Accuracy Task Components in Motor Learning

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7030054 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 54 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Håvard Stranda ◽

Monika Haga ◽

Hermundur Sigmundsson ◽

Håvard Lorås

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Human Cognition ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Maximal Heart Rate ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Keyboard Typing ◽

Speed And Accuracy ◽

Typing Task

Acute exercise has an influence on human cognition, and both theoretical approaches and previous investigations suggest that the learning process can be facilitated. A distinction has been made however, between the predominately positive effects on task speed compared to both the negative and null effects on aspects of task accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise conducted before each practice trial (3 × week) for a period of four weeks, on speed and accuracy components in a novel keyboard typing task. To this end, young adults (n = 26) where randomized to a non-exercise resting group (control) or an exercise group (ergometer cycling at 65% of age-predicted maximal heart rate). Immediately after exercise or resting, participants practiced keyboard typing through specialized online software for a total of 2 h across the study period. All participants improved their speed and accuracy in the keyboard typing task. At 7-day retention, no differences were found between groups. Thus, the degree of improvement on both speed and accuracy task components was not significantly different between the exercise and control group. Further studies are warranted to establish the specific relationship between aerobic exercise and task components in motor learning and retention.

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62 Time course of improvement in secretory unbalance of asymmetric dimethylarginine and nitric oxide productions in response to exercise training in middle-aged and older adults

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehz872 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

S Fujie ◽

N Hasegawa ◽

K Sanada ◽

T Hamaoka ◽

S Maeda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Time Course ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Training Group ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Plasma Adma ◽

Before And After

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (#17H02182, #16K13059, M. Iemitsu; #18J01024, S. Fujie) Introduction Aging is well known to elevate risks of cardiovascular diseases. As a mechanism of these increased risks with aging, a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) production via augmented secretion of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthesis is related. Habitual aerobic exercise has shown to improve secretory unbalance of endothelium-derived regulating factors with aging, such as increase in NO and decrease in ADMA, resulting in the reduction of arterial stiffness. However, the time course of improvement in secretory unbalance of NO and ADMA productions in response to exercise training in middle-aged and older adults remains unclear. Purpose This study aimed to determine the time course of changes in plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and ADMA levels related to exercise-training effects of arterial stiffness in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Methods Thirty-two Japanese healthy middle-aged and older subjects (67 ± 1 years) were randomly divided into two groups: exercise intervention and sedentary controls. Subjects in the training group completed 8-week of aerobic exercise training (60-70% peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak] for 45 min, 3 days/week). We evaluated plasma NOx and ADMA concentrations and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) as an index of arterial stiffness, measured every 2 weeks for 8-week in the training group. Results cfPWV was gradually declined from baseline to 8-week and significantly decreased from baseline at weeks 6 (P < 0.05) and 8 (P < 0.01). Plasma NOx level was gradually elevated during exercise intervention and significantly increased from baseline at weeks 6 (P < 0.05) and 8 (P < 0.01). Interestingly, plasma ADMA level was significantly decreased at 8-week intervention (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the exercise training-induced reduction in plasma ADMA level was negatively correlated with the change in plasma NOx level before and after the 8-week (r = -0.483, P < 0.05). The exercise training-induced change in plasma ADMA concentration was positively correlated with training-induced change in cfPWV before and after the 8-week (r = 0.633, P < 0.01). Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the changes in plasma NOx level and cfPWV before and after the 8-week (r = -0.642, P < 0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that habitual aerobic exercise can normalize the secretory unbalance of NO and ADMA productions in 6 to 8 weeks, and these balance normalizations may be contributed to the reduction of arterial stiffness in the middle-aged and older adults.

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Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation associated with aerobic exercise on the autonomic modulation of hemiparetic individuals due to stroke: a study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.36394.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

Solange Zilli Lo Presti Heinz ◽

Katia De Angelis ◽

Glauber Heinz ◽

Ariane Viana ◽

Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Pulse Interval ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Risk Of Death

Background: Individuals after a stroke have an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which increases the risk of death or recurrent episodes of stroke. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with aerobic exercise has shown an effect on the modulation of this system. Objective: The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the distance traveled on the exercise bike will be assessed to verify the additional impact of tDCS combined with aerobic exercise on individuals with chronic stroke sequelae. Methods: The 34 adult individuals with diagnoses of chronic stroke will be randomized into two aerobic exercise intervention groups: G1 (with active tDCS) and G2 (with sham tDCS), three times a week, for 12 weeks. Procedures: tDCS will be implemented during the aerobic exercise with the anodal electrode positioned over the lateral dorsal prefrontal left cortex, and the cathodal electrode over the contralateral supraorbital region, with 2mA, for 20 minutes. Assessments will be carried out pre, immediately after the intervention, and on the 12th, 24th, 36th interventions, and 30 days later. The HRV data that are pulse interval (PI), square root of the mean of the squares of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals (rMSSD), absolute high frequency (HF), absolute low frequency (LF), high and low frequency ratio (LF / HF) will be collected using a cardio frequency meter. The analysis of the distance traveled on the exercise bike before and after interventions will be analyzed in meters. Discussion: The autonomic control via brain networks after a stroke can be altered and can promote an increase in sympathetic tone, and a higher risk of sudden death or relapse of stroke. It is crucial to demonstrate the effectiveness of available treatments to improve the autonomic function. Trial registration: The study is registered as a BRAZILIAN CLINICAL TEST RECORD (ReBEC): U1111-1222-4588 on the 2018/10/16

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Feasibility and effect of interactive telerehabilitation on balance in individuals with chronic stroke: a pilot study

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s12984-021-00866-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shih-Ching Chen ◽

Chueh-Ho Lin ◽

Sheng-Wen Su ◽

Yu-Tai Chang ◽

Chien-Hung Lai

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Effect Size ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Control Group ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Kinect Camera ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background Stroke survivors need continuing exercise intervention to maintain functional status. This study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of an interactive telerehabilitation exergaming system to improve balance in individuals with chronic stroke, compared to conventional one-on-one rehabilitation. Methods In this prospective case–control pilot study, 30 Taiwanese individuals with chronic stroke were enrolled and randomly allocated to an experimental group and a control group. All participants received intervention 3 times per week for 4 weeks in the study hospital. The experiment group underwent telerehabilitation using a Kinect camera-based interactive telerehabilitation system in an independent room to simulate home environment. In contrast, the control group received conventional one-on-one physiotherapy in a dedicated rehabilitation area. The effectiveness of interactive telerehabilitation in improving balance in stroke survivors was evaluated by comparing outcomes between the two groups. The primary outcome was Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores. Secondary outcomes were performance of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Modified Falls Efficacy Scale, Motricity Index, and Functional Ambulation Category. Results Comparison of outcomes between experimental and control groups revealed no significant differences between groups at baseline and post-intervention for all outcome measures. However, BBS scores improved significantly in both groups (control group: p = 0.01, effect size = 0.49; experimental group: p = 0.01, effect size = 0.70). Completion times of TUG tests also improved significantly in the experimental group (p = 0.005, effect size = 0.70). Conclusion The Kinect camera-based interactive telerehabilitation system demonstrates superior or equal efficacy compared to conventional one-on-one physiotherapy for improving balance in individuals with chronic stroke. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03698357. Registered October 4, 2018, retrospectively registered.

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Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Physical and Mental Health of College Students

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1142/s0192415x04002107 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 32 (03) ◽

pp. 453-459 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Yong "Tai" Wang ◽

Leslie Taylor ◽

Marcia Pearl ◽

Li-Shan Chang

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Bodily Pain ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Practice Session ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Before And After ◽

Tai Chi Exercise

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the effects of Tai Chi Quan, a body-mind harmony exercise, on college students' perceptions of their physical and mental health. A three-month intervention of Tai Chi exercise was administered to college students, and multidimensional physical (PHD) and mental (MHD) health scores were assessed using the SF-36v2 health survey questionnaire before and after the intervention. Thirty college students participated in a 1-hour-long Tai Chi exercise intervention twice a week for 3 months. Each practice session included 10 minutes of breathing and stretching exercises followed by 50 minutes of Tai Chi Quan 24-form practice. PHD including physical function (PF), role physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), and MHD including social function (SF), role mental/emotion function (RE), vitality (VT), perceptions of mental health (MH) were assessed. The normalized scores of each variable and the combined PHD or MHD scores before and after the Tai Chi intervention were examined by paired t-test ( p <0.05). Physical measures of BP and GH, and mental measures of RE, VT and MH were significantly improved after Tai Chi exercise intervention. When the overall PHD or MHD scores were evaluated, the MHD had increased significantly. In conclusion, Tai Chi exercise had positive effects on the self-assessed physical and mental health of college students. Scores on the mental health dimension appeared to be particularly sensitive to change. Colleges/universities might consider offering Tai Chi as a component of their ongoing physical activity programs available to students.

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Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation associated with aerobic exercise on the autonomic modulation of hemiparetic individuals due to stroke: a study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.36394.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

Solange Zilli Lo Presti Heinz ◽

Katia De Angelis ◽

Glauber Heinz ◽

Ariane Viana ◽

Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Direct Current ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Pulse Interval ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Risk Of Death

Background: Individuals after a stroke have an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which increases the risk of death or recurrent episodes of stroke. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with aerobic exercise has shown an effect on the modulation of this system. Objective: The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the distance traveled on the exercise bike will be assessed to verify the additional impact of tDCS combined with aerobic exercise on individuals with chronic stroke sequelae. Methods: The 34 adult individuals with diagnoses of chronic stroke will be randomized into two aerobic exercise intervention groups: G1 (with active tDCS) and G2 (with sham tDCS), three times a week, for 12 weeks. Procedures: tDCS will be implemented during the aerobic exercise with the anodal electrode positioned over the lateral dorsal prefrontal left cortex, and the cathodal electrode over the contralateral supraorbital region, with 2mA, for 20 minutes. Assessments will be carried out pre, immediately after the intervention, and on the 12th, 24th, 36th interventions, and 30 days later. The HRV data that are pulse interval (PI), square root of the mean of the squares of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals (rMSSD), absolute high frequency (HF), absolute low frequency (LF), high and low frequency ratio (LF / HF) will be collected using a cardio frequency meter. The analysis of the distance traveled on the exercise bike before and after interventions will be analyzed in meters. Discussion: The autonomic control via brain networks after a stroke can be altered and can promote an increase in sympathetic tone, and a higher risk of sudden death or relapse of stroke. It is crucial to demonstrate the effectiveness of available treatments to improve the autonomic function. Trial registration: The study is registered as a BRAZILIAN CLINICAL TEST RECORD (ReBEC): U1111-1222-4588 on the 2018/10/16

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