HIIT to reduce fatigue after stroke

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention on Post-Stroke Fatigue in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

This project will test whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduces fatigue in people aged 40–80 who had an ischemic stroke 6–60 months ago, compared with moderate exercise or stretching.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Ages: 40 Years to 80 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Kowloon)
• Trial ID: NCT07273058 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with chronic ischemic stroke and persistent fatigue will be randomly assigned to supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), or a stretching active control. Each group will attend supervised exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions total). Outcomes, including the primary measure of fatigue severity and secondary inflammatory biomarkers and health indicators, will be measured at baseline, week 6, week 12, and at a week 20 follow-up. The protocol targets ambulatory participants able to walk 10 meters with or without an aid and excludes those with major medical, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions that would prevent safe exercise.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 40–80 with a prior ischemic stroke 6–60 months ago causing unilateral limb impairment, who report recent fatigue, have stable medical status, can communicate and walk 10 meters (with or without an aid), and have no major cognitive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, neurological, or musculoskeletal contraindications.

Not a fit: Patients with low baseline fatigue (FSS < 4), other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that limit safe exercise, severe spasticity, or significant cardiovascular/pulmonary/metabolic disease are unlikely to benefit or may be ineligible for the intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, HIIT could provide a time-efficient exercise option that meaningfully reduces post-stroke fatigue and supports recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Small prior studies of HIIT after stroke have shown improvements in aerobic fitness and some symptoms, but evidence specifically for reducing post-stroke fatigue is limited and mixed.

Eligibility criteria

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.

Where this trial is running

Kowloon

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Kowloon, Hong Kong (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mei Zhen Prof. Huang

Conditions Stroke