A. Bateman et al., The effect of aerobic training on rehabilitation outcomes after recent severe brain injury: A randomized controlled evaluation, ARCH PHYS M, 82(2), 2001, pp. 174-182
Objective: To examine the impact of fitness training with recently brain-in
jured inpatients on exercise capacity and functional and psychologic outcom
e measures.
Design: A randomized controlled trial of exercise versus relaxation trainin
g for 3 months. Blind assessments were conducted before and after the end o
f a 12-week training program, as well as at follow-up assessment 12 weeks p
osttraining.
Setting: Four regional neurologic inpatient rehabilitation units.
Patients: Of 157 patients recruited 24 +/- 14 weeks after single-incident b
rain injury, 142 patients were assessed at week 12, and 128 patients at fol
low-up.
Interventions: Patients were randomized between cycle ergometer aerobic tra
ining and a relaxation training control condition, which was theoretically
inert with respect to cardiovascular fitness.
Main Outcome Measures: Validation of exercise training (peak work rate, pea
k heart rate, body mass index); mobility and physical function (modified As
hworth scale, Berg balance scale, Rivermead Mobility Index, 10-m walk veloc
ity); disability and dependency (Barthel index, FIM(TM) instrument, Notting
ham Extended Activities of Daily Living); and psychologic function (fatigue
questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).
Results: Significant improvements in exercise capacity (p < .05) in the exe
rcise training group (n = 70) relative to the control group (n = 72) were n
ot matched by greater improvements in functional independence, mobility, or
psychologic function, at either 12 weeks or follow-up.
Conclusions: The benefits of improved cardiovascular fitness did not appear
to extend to measurable change in function or psychologic state.