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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Aug 4;22(1):289.
doi: 10.1186/s12883-022-02805-z.

Effect of an exercise intervention on global cognition after transient ischemic attack or minor stroke: the MoveIT randomized controlled trial

Inger A Deijle  1   2 , Roelofjan Hemmes  1 , H Myrthe Boss  3 , Edwin C de Melker  4 , Bob T J van den Berg  5 , Gert Kwakkel  6   7   8   9   10 , Erwin van Wegen  6   7   8 , Wendy M Bosboom  11 , Henry C Weinstein  1   8 , Sander M van Schaik  1 , Renske M Van den Berg-Vos  12   13   14
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of an exercise intervention on global cognition after transient ischemic attack or minor stroke: the MoveIT randomized controlled trial

Inger A Deijle et al. BMC Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: Patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke are at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment in the subacute phase. At present, the effects of exercise on cognitive functioning following a TIA or stroke are not fully known. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the effect of exercise on global cognition.

Methods: The MoveIT trial is a single-centre, observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial involving a 1-year exercise intervention consisting of a 12-week group exercise program, combined with three counselling visits to the physiotherapists over a 9-month period. The control group received standard care. The primary outcome was global cognitive functioning, assessed at one year, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, the cardiovascular profile, and attainment of secondary prevention targets, anxiety, depression and fatigue at one and two years.

Results: The experimental group consisted of 60 patients, while the control group consisted of 59 patients. The mean age was 64.3 years and 41% were female. No between-group differences were found on global cognitive functioning (MD, 0.7 out of 30, 95% CI, - 0.2 to 1.6) or on secondary outcome measures at 12 months. The only significant between-group difference was found for fatigue, in favour of the experimental group at 12 months (MD, 0.6 out of 63, 95% CI, 0.1 to 1.1).

Conclusions: No benefit of this exercise intervention was found regarding global cognition. Future studies need to focus on optimizing rehabilitation strategies for this vulnerable group of patients.

Trial registration: http://www.trialregister.nl . Unique identifier: NL3721 . Date first registration: 06-03-2013.

Keywords: Cognition; Ischemic stroke; Physical fitness training; Transient ischemic attack.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consort flow chart for patient recruitment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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