Aerobic Exercise vs. Relaxation Training for Adults with Moderate Stroke

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines recommend aerobic exercise for stroke survivors (Stroke 2014; 45:2532). However, little evidence supports this recommendation for people during the first several weeks after stroke. In this trial from 7 inpatient rehabilitation centers in Germany, researchers determined the effects of aerobic exercise in 200 adults (mean age, 69) who had moderate-to-severe impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs) between days 5 and 45 after stroke.

Participants were randomized to aerobic treadmill-based physical fitness training or to relaxation training for 25 minutes daily, 5 days per week for 4 weeks, in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy. Three months after stroke, aerobic …