Overview
This study aims to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on fatigue severity among individuals with chronic stroke. Participants will be randomly assigned to the HIIT group, the moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) group, or the stretching group (active control). Each group will participate in supervised exercise sessions three times per week over a 12-week period, totaling 36 sessions. Outcome assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (week 6), post-intervention (week 12), and follow-up (week 20). The primary outcome will be fatigue severity. Secondary outcomes will include inflammatory biomarkers and additional health-related indicators.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- Age of 40-80 years;
- a history of ischemic stroke resulting in unilateral limb impairment 6-60 months prior to consent to participate in the pilot trial;
- a stable medical condition;
- a subjective feeling of fatigue, defined as a period of apparent fatigue, decreased energy, increased need for rest, or fatigue out of proportion to physical activity for at least 2 weeks during the past month;
- ability to communicate with the investigators and lack of significant cognitive deficits;
- able to walk for 10 meters with or without a walking aid.
Exclusion criteria:
- An FSS score of \< 4 (20);
- other neurological conditions;
- other musculoskeletal comorbidities that would prevent safe participation in exercises;
- a medical diagnosis of significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease(s);
- signs or symptoms indicative of significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease(s) during the previous 3 months;
- severe lower limb spasticity (Ashworth Scale score ≥ 3);
- Botulinum toxin use in the affected lower limb within the past six months;
- current or previous use of drugs intended to resolve post-stroke fatigue;
- active engagement in other stroke rehabilitation trials.