PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of adapted low intensity ergometer aerobic training for early and severely impaired stroke survivors. SUBJECTS: The subjects were forty-eight early stroke survivors. METHODS: Eligible subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Both groups participated in comprehensive rehabilitation training. Low intensity aerobic training was only performed by the experimental group. Outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer motor score, Barthel Index, exercise test time, peak heart rate, plasma glucose level and serum lipid profiles. RESULTS: Patients in the experimental group finished 88.6% of the total aerobic training sessions prescribed. In compliant participants (adherence > 80%), aerobic training significantly improved the Barthel Index (from 40.1 +/- 21.1 to 79.2 +/- 14.2), Fugl-Meyer motor score (from 26.4 +/- 19.4 to 45.4 +/- 12.7), exercise test time (from 12.2 +/- 3.62 min to 13.9 +/- 3.6 min), 2-hour glucose level (from 9.22 +/- 1.16 mmol/L to 7.21 +/- 1.36 mmol/L) and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistence index (from 1.72 +/- 1.01 to 1.28 +/- 0.88). CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that early and severely impaired stroke patients may benefit from low intensity ergometer aerobic training.

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