NCT05584605

Perfusion Augmentation Through Exercise

Changes in PERFusion and Cerebrovascular Reactivity Through Aerobic EXercise Training After Ischemic Stroke - a Proof of Concept Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Zurich · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Large cerebral vessel occlusion is a common phenomenon in the general population and accounts for 13-35% of ischemic strokes. Chronic stenosis in the large cerebral arteries is associated with cerebral hypoperfusion, cognitive decline and an increased risk of stroke or recurrent stroke, respectively. Even with upgrowth of surgical or endovascular interventions, mechanical reopening of the occluded vessels is often not possible. Alternative treatment opportunities include minimal-to-moderate blood pressure elevation (typically by ceasing antihypertensives) waiting for collateral circulation to develop spontaneously. Another conservative approach to increase cerebral perfusion is aerobic exercising. Physical activity has shown to lead to cerebral blood flow increase, especially in activated brain areas of healthy human and rat models. However, it is remains unknown, how physiological adaptation to physical activity expresses in persons after stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Herein, it is hypothesized that aerobic exercise facilitates the development of an extensive and functional vascular collateral network in persons with ischemic stroke and perfusion compromise.

Conditions

• Stroke, Ischemic

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Aerobic treadmill training	The intervention will be delivered based on the initial exercise testing and graded based by increasing the duration, speed and/or altitude of the treadmill training.
BEHAVIORAL	Stretching exercise	Interventions, such as stretching, relaxation, passive soft-tissue technics (excl. manipulation) that do not elevate the heart rate above 20HRR

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-01
• First posted: 2022-10-18
• Last updated: 2022-10-18

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: Switzerland