NCT01674790

Brief Summary

The objective of the 'Exploring potential synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognition after stroke' pilot trial is to investigate the combined effects of aerobic and cognitive training on cognition after stroke. This is to lay the groundwork for a larger RCT on the same topic. Twenty patients greater than 6 months post-stroke will be randomly assigned into one of four following treatment groups: (i) aerobic training (AEROBIC group), (ii) cognitive training (COGNITIVE group), (iii) aerobic exercise plus cognitive training (AEROBIC+COGNITIVE group); and (iv) non-aerobic range of motion (ROM) and unstructured mental activity (CONTROL group) (for group descriptions, please see detailed description below). We hypothesize that the combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training will be more effective in improving cognition after stroke than either treatment on its own.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
22

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable stroke

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2013

Longer than P75 for not_applicable stroke

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 24, 2012

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 29, 2012

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 13, 2013

Completed
3.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 16, 2017

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 16, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

March 23, 2018

Status Verified

March 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

3.7 years

First QC Date

August 24, 2012

Last Update Submit

March 21, 2018

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Flanker Test

    Flanker Test is a computerized test of selective attention and reaction time that involves a motor response. The participant needs to focus and identify an item presented on a screen while ignoring task-irrelevant distractors. Performance on this test has been shown to improve with exercise.

    10 weeks

  • Raven's matrices test

    A measure of non-verbal reasoning ability and fluid intelligence.

    10 weeks

  • Sternberg digit memory task

    A measure of visual working memory wherein the subject is shown a set of n digits for study. After a short delay, a digit is shown and the subject is asked to recall whether that item was in the previously viewed set

    10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Peak oxygen consumption

    10 weeks

  • Fatigue Severity Scale

    10 weeks

  • Cognitive Failures Questionnaire

    10 weeks

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment

    10 weeks

  • Expression of BDNF and IGF-1 in peripheral blood samples

    10 weeks

Study Arms (4)

AEROBIC group

EXPERIMENTAL

6-week program of one 20-min session of aerobic training and one 20-min session of ROM exercise 5 days/week.

Behavioral: Aerobic trainingBehavioral: Range of motion exercise

COGNITIVE group

EXPERIMENTAL

6-week program of one 20-min session of cognitive training and one 20-min session of ROM exercise 5 days/week.

Behavioral: Cognitive trainingBehavioral: Range of motion exercise

AEROBIC + COGNITIVE group

EXPERIMENTAL

6-week program of one 20-min session of aerobic training and one 20-min session of cognitive training 5 days/week.

Behavioral: Aerobic trainingBehavioral: Cognitive training

CONTROL group

EXPERIMENTAL

6-week program of one 20-min session of ROM exercise and one 20-min session of unstructured mental activity 5 days/week.

Behavioral: Range of motion exerciseBehavioral: Unstructured mental activity

Interventions

One 20-min session of body weight support treadmill training at moderate to high intensity (60-70% heart rate reserve) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

AEROBIC + COGNITIVE groupAEROBIC group

One 20-min session of cognitive training (computerized dual n-back training program) 5 days/week for 6 weeks.

AEROBIC + COGNITIVE groupCOGNITIVE group

One 20-min session of range of motion exercise (non-aerobic passive and active movement of upper and lower extremity) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

AEROBIC groupCOGNITIVE groupCONTROL group

One 20-min session of unstructured mental activity (e.g., listening to light novels on tape) 5 days/week for 6-weeks.

CONTROL group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • ≥18 years of age
  • Diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke \>6months ago
  • Be able to perform a two-step command
  • Be able to walk ≥10m with/without aid
  • Live within a 75km radius of the QE II
  • Pass a cardiology screen for safe participants in exercise training

You may not qualify if:

  • Have moderate or severe receptive aphasia
  • Have terminal illness, life-threatening co-morbidity or concomitant neurological or psychiatric illness

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada

Location

School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Cognitive TrainingRange of Motion, Articular

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurological RehabilitationRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsHealth ServicesHealth Care Facilities Workforce and ServicesPhysical ExaminationDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosisMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

  • Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, PhD

    Dalhousie University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Affiliated Scientist

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 24, 2012

First Posted

August 29, 2012

Study Start

October 13, 2013

Primary Completion

June 16, 2017

Study Completion

June 16, 2017

Last Updated

March 23, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-03

Locations