NCT07274748

Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Intermittent Functional Training on Cardiovascular Fitness, Physical Function and Cognition in Stroke.

Effects of High Intensity Interval Training Versus Intermittent Functional Training on Cardiovascular Fitness, Physical Function and Cognition in Stroke

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 52 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 50 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to determine comparative effects of High intensity interval training versus Intermittent functional training on cardiovascular fitness, physical function and cognition in stroke.

Detailed description

This randomized clinical trial will be conducted at General Hospital Lahore over the duration of ten months enrolling six months post stroke survivors. The 52 patients will be recruited through non-probability convenience sampling technique and will be randomly assigned to either the HIIT or IFT group through online randomizer tool. Both groups will undergo a 12-week intervention, consisting of three sessions per week with alternate-day training. The HIIT group will perform three sessions per week 30 minutes in total with each session consisting of 5 min intervals at 85-95% of their maximum heart rate, with 3-minute active recovery periods, while IFT group will perform three sessions per week 30 minutes in total with each session consisting of 6-9 circuits of task-oriented exercises both including a 5-min warm-up and cool down period. Data will be collected through different assessment tools including NIHSS (The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) to assess the severity of stroke, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for cardiovascular fitness, MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment or The MoCA Test) for cognition and Berg-balance scale (BBS) and TUG (Time Up and Go Test) for mobility and physical function

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Group A: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)	The intervention consists of HIIT protocol performed 3-5 days per week for a period of 12 weeks, focusing on either the fastest safe walking speed for mobility gains or maintaining 85%-95% of heart rate reserve or power output at 90%-100% VO2 peak. Each session should last 25-30 minutes, utilizing a burst-to-recovery ratio of 30 seconds of intense activity followed by 30-60 seconds to 3 minutes of recovery. Treadmills or recumbent steppers will be used, with careful monitoring of intensity to prevent potential hypotensive responses.
OTHER	Group B: Intermittent Functional Training (IFT)	IFT exercises will be performed for 3-5 days per week sessions involve 6-9 circuits of task-oriented exercises lasting about 3 minutes each, designed to enhance functional ability. Each circuit combines more demanding tasks with less intense ones to maintain heart rates 30-50 beats per minute above resting levels, achieving moderate aerobic intensity for chronic stroke survivors. Exercises are tailored to individual needs and progressively increased in difficulty, including movements like rolling, transitioning between positions, and practicing stepping and transferring

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-05
• Primary completion: 2026-05-30
• Completion: 2026-05-30
• First posted: 2025-12-10
• Last updated: 2025-12-10

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Pakistan