19 Mar Effect of Aerobic Exercise (Walking) Training on Functional Status and Health-related Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke Survivors

MedicalResearch.com Interview with Carron D. Gordon, PhD

Section of Physical Therapy, University of the West Indies,
Mona, Box 126, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies

MedicalResearch.com:  What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Gordon: The walking group showed a 17.6% improvement in distance walked in six minutes (measure of endurance) compared to 4% in the control group and 16.7% improvement in SF36-Physical Component (health-related quality of life) compared to 2.6% in the control group.

On resting HR (indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness) the walking group showed a 1.5% decrease compared to a 6.7% increase in the control group.

Note: Lower resting heart rate suggests greater fitness level

MedicalResearch.com:  Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Gordon: Not totally.

MedicalResearch.com:   What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Gordon: Persons with chronic stroke can continue to experience improvement in their overall well-being even after formal rehabilitation. Regular brisk walking (inexpensive and accessible) for minimum 30 minutes, should be encouraged by physicians and other health professionals as a way of life for stroke survivors who are ambulatory. Family members may play a supportive role.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Gordon: Determine:

1. Whether improvements can be maintained over a longer period by including support from family etc., after the intervention ends,

2. The effect of overground aerobic walking on risk factors for recurrent stroke.

3. The effect of overground walking on Mental Health Quality of Life

Citation:

Effect of Aerobic Exercise (Walking) Training on Functional Status and Health-related Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Gordon CD, Wilks R, McCaw-Binns A.

From the Section of Physical Therapy, Epidemiology Research Unit, and Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, West Indies.

Stroke. 2013 Mar 7. [Epub ahead of print

Last Updated on September 19, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD