NCT07429526

Does Aerobic Exercise Affect Memory and Fatigue After Acquired Brain Injury?

Does Aerobic Exercise Affect Memory, Attention, Working Memory, and Fatigue After Acquired Brain Injury? A Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (actual)
• Sponsor: Danderyd Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Acquired brain injury can affect cognition and cause fatigue. Aerobic exercise has been linked to improved cognition in the general population. This is thought to occur through boosting neuroplasticity, that is to say the brain's ability to change and adapt. Investigators explored the effects of aerobic exercise after acquired brain injury and investigated if any changes on the brain could be detected. This was done through an 8-week period of 30 min of aerobic exercise, 3-4 times a week for a group of 6 participants compared with 6 participants that did their usual training. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect any changes on the brain.

Detailed description

The objective is to study the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function, fatigue and neuroplasticity after stroke or traumatic brain injury with a randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were patients aged 16-65 years with moderate to severe stroke or traumatic brain injury at least 3 months post injury. The intervention group participated in 30 min of aerobic exercise 3-4 times/week for 8 weeks during their outpatient rehabilitation. The control group received routine physical therapy. In addition, both groups received rehabilitation according to their rehabilitation plan. Neuropsychological and endurance testing was performed before and after the intervention and at a 3 month follow up. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after the intervention.

Conditions

• Stroke
• TBI

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	exercise	30 min of AE, 3-4 times/week for 8 weeks, included in a rehabilitation program based on current guidelines and patient's individual needs.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-11-01
• Primary completion: 2022-09-01
• Completion: 2024-06-01
• First posted: 2026-02-24
• Last updated: 2026-02-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden