Does a cycling program combined with education and followed by coaching promote physical activity in subacute stroke patients? A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: To investigate the effects of a three month active cycling program followed by coaching on physical activity in subacute stroke patients.

Methods: Patients (n = 59; mean age =65.4 ± 10.3) aged ≤80 years with first stroke and able to cycle at 50 revolutions/minute enrolled 3–10 weeks post stroke. Patients were randomly allocated to three month active cycling group (n = 33) or to a control group (n = 26), 3 x 30 minutes training/week. Afterwards, the active cycling group was randomized into a coaching (n = 15) versus non-coaching group (n = 16) for nine months. Physical activity was measured by objective and self-reported measures, which were taken before/after the active cycling program and during six and 12 months, except the Baecke-questionnaire, which was used at baseline and 12 months.

Results: A significant difference was found in Baecke/sport (95% confidence interval: 0.06, 2.24; p = 0.039) between the active cycling group and the control group, in patients with severe motor function deficits at baseline. Patients in the control group performed significant less sports at 12 months (mean Baecke/sport_baseline =3.07 ± 1.21, mean Baecke/sport_12months = 1.43 ± 0.98; p = 0.01). Furthermore, all groups showed significant changes over time in all measures at three months (except: Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities, diary/Mets*minutes-moderate) and 12 month and additionally in a subgroup with severe motor function deficits (except diary Mets*minutes-sedentary).

Conclusion: When active cycling combined with education is used in subacute patients with severe motor function deficits, more sport participation might be observed after one year. No other significant group differences were found over time. In all groups, however, patients showed significant improvement over time in physical activity measures. Future work is needed to explore the most effective coaching approach after an aerobic training program.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The active cycling program combined with education is applicable in subacute stroke patients as it required little stand-by assistance due to chip cards, the intensity was gradually built and the involvement of caregivers in the educational sessions. This training approach also revealed applicable in severely impaired stroke patients and might facilitate sport participation on the long-term.

• This randomized controlled study aims to quantify physical activity after stroke by using a combination of objective and self-report measures, which revealed detailed information about different aspects of physical activity levels.

• There is a need for coaching approaches that facilitate aerobic exercise after ending a supervised program. A coaching approach needs to guide patients in adopting aerobic exercise as a part of a lifestyle change and needs to be less time consuming.

Keywords:

• Cerebrovascular disorders
• physical activity
• exercise
• rehabilitation
• mentoring
• coaching

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the Staff members of Campus Sint-Ursula Herk-de-Stad, Belgium and patients who participated in this study. We would also like to thank all patients and their family who participated for their cooperation. Thanks to Bernd Schelkle for his help with providing the MOTOmed devices. A special word of thanks goes to Ella Roelant, for all help in the statistical analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declaration of interest.

Trial registration

Name of the registry: The Effect of an Aerobic Exercise Programme in Stroke Patients

The date of trial registration: February 16 2010.

The date of the first participant enrollment: May 102010

URL/trial registration number: www.clinicaltrials.gov, identification number NCT01070459

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by research grant (G841) from the Artesis University College Antwerp.