Effects of intelligent aerobic bicycle training on ischemic stroke patients at different disease courses / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of an intelligent aerobic bicycle training on lower limb motor function, cardiopulmonary function and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with ischemic stroke at different courses. MethodsFrom November, 2019 to November, 2021, 138 ischemic stroke patients were stratified-randomly divided into control group (n = 69) and experimental group (n = 69). All the patients received medication and routine rehabilitation training, and the experimental group additionally received intelligent aerobic bicycle training, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before, and four weeks and eight weeks after treatment. ResultsThe performances of FMA-LE, VO2peak, 6MWT and MBI improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 6.763, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.439, P < 0.05). For the patients beginning training less than one month after stroke, the performances of FMA-LE, VO2peak and 6MWT improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.036, P < 0.05); for those during one to three months, the performances of 6MWT and MBI improved more (|t| > 2.005, P < 0.05); for those during three to six months, the performances of all the tests were not significantly different (|t| < 1.303, P > 0.05). ConclusionIntelligent aerobic bicycle training may improve the lower limb motor function, cardiopulmonary function and ADL for patients with ischemic stroke, especially intervening earlier.