# Effect of Home-Based High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients With Lacunar Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 31316451
Journal: Frontiers in Neurology
Published: 2019
Authors: Steen Krawcyk R, Vinther A, Petersen NC, Faber J, Iversen HK, Christensen T, Lambertsen KL, Rehman S, Klausen TW, Rostrup E, Kruuse C

## Question

Can home-based HIIT improve fitness, activity, and related health outcomes after lacunar stroke?

## Summary

Adults recently diagnosed with lacunar stroke were randomized to usual care or 12 weeks of home-based HIIT plus usual care. The program appeared feasible and did not cause intervention-related adverse events, but it did not significantly improve the primary graded cycling test outcome compared with usual care.

## Population

- Patients within 3 weeks of lacunar stroke or compatible minor cerebrovascular event
- Sample size: 71
- Age: Mean 63.7 +/- 9.2 years
- Sex: 49 men and 22 women
- Fitness level: Clinical post-stroke population with mild stroke severity
- Health status: Minor lacunar stroke/TIA population with multiple cardiovascular exclusions

## Methodology

- Randomized controlled trial
- 12 weeks
- Home-based exercise after stroke-unit recruitment
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Home-based post-stroke HIIT.
- Modality: Self-selected, stationary bike if needed.
- Work intervals: 3 minutes.
- Recovery: 2 minutes active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 3 intervals.
- Intensity: 77-93% HRmax; Borg 14-16; Talk Test unable to speak comfortably.
- Session duration: About 13 minutes excluding warm-up/cooldown.
- Frequency: 5 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Increase workload or cadence to maintain intensity.
- Usual care.
- Modality: Secondary prevention advice and self-managed lifestyle.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Primary fitness
Status: no clear change
The primary graded cycling test outcome did not improve significantly versus usual care.

Group change p=.90.

### Vigorous activity
Status: improved
Self-reported vigorous activity increased more with HIIT than usual care.

2.0 h/week versus 0.6 h/week, p=.045.

### Safety
Status: no clear change
No intervention-related adverse events were reported.

Descriptive adverse-event finding.

## Practical Insights

- Talk Test plus RPE can make intensity guidance usable outside a lab.
- Clinical-risk protocols need explicit clearance, check-ins, and adverse-event monitoring.
- Feasibility and increased activity do not necessarily mean improved primary fitness outcomes.

## Limitations

- Clinical special population with extensive exclusions.
- Primary outcome was null.
- Adherence and dropout details were not fully captured from the extracted passages.
- Home support may not generalize to unsupervised app-only use.

## Safety And Adherence

- No intervention-related adverse events were reported.
- Participants had extensive cardiovascular and neurologic exclusions.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31316451/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00664) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6611174/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.