Powering Up Stroke Rehabilitation Through HIIT

March 23, 2026 updated by: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Powering Up Stroke Rehabilitation Through High-Intensity Interval Training

Objectives: To investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on musculoskeletal fitness in chronic stroke survivors.

Hypothesis to be tested: HIIT, performed on a recumbent stepper, will significantly enhance muscle power in chronic stroke survivors when compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) Design and subjects: Assessor-blinded, stratified, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving eligible 66 chronic stroke survivors.

Interventions: Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: the HIIT group, the MICT group, or a stretching group (active control). Each group will attend sessions three times per week for 12 consecutive weeks, totaling 36 training sessions.

Main outcome measures: Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at mid-term of the intervention (week 6), at the end of the intervention (week 12), and at a 12-week follow-up (week 24). The primary outcome measure will be muscle power. Secondary outcome measures will include muscle strength, body composition, biomarkers, motor function, balance function, cardiorespiratory response, and psychosocial response.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
66

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion criteria:

  • Men and postmenopausal women aged 50-80 years
  • 1-5 years following the first-ever stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography
  • Able to walk 10 meters independently with or without a walking aid
  • Class I or II according to the New York Heart Association Functional Classification (no limitation or slight limitation of physical activity due to symptoms during ordinary physical activity)

Exclusion criteria:

  • Presence of other neurological comorbidities, significant liver or renal diseases, thyroid or parathyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, or a fracture within the past 6 months
  • Undergoing osteoporosis treatments within the past 3 years, use of oral corticosteroids for more than 3 months within the past year, or botulinum toxin injections in the paretic lower limb within the past 6 months
  • Participation in ongoing stroke rehabilitation services or structured exercise programme
  • Cognitive or communication issues that could limit the ability to follow instructions
  • Contraindications to HIIT, graded exercise testing, or failure to pass medical clearance from a specialist

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: High-intensity interval training
The HIIT session will consist of a 3-minute warm-up, a 20-minute main exercise, and a 2-minute cool-down. The main exercise for HIIT will include ten high-intensity intervals, interspersed with ten low-intensity intervals.
Behavioral: High-intensity Interval Training
There will be three sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks, totaling 36 training sessions.
Active Comparator: Stretching
The stretching group will receive 25 minutes of whole-body stretching.
Behavioral: Stretching
There will be three sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks, totaling 36 training sessions.
Active Comparator: Moderate-intensity continuous training
The MICT session will consist of a 3-minute warm-up, a main exercise that approximately matches the total workload of the HIIT session (lasting about 30 minutes), and a 2-minute cool-down. The intensity during the main exercise for MICT will remain below the vigorous level by progressively adjusting the workload throughout the intervention period.
Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
There will be three sessions per week for 12 consecutive weeks, totaling 36 training sessions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from Baseline in Muscle Power at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Muscle power (watt) of knee extensors on both the paretic and nonparetic sides will be measured using the isokinetic dynamometer.

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from Baseline in Muscle Strength (kg) at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Handgrip strength (kg) on both sides will be measured using a handheld dynamometer.

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Muscle Strength (kg) at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Handgrip strength (kg) on both sides will be measured using a handheld dynamometer.

Change=(Week 24 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Body Composition (kg) at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Whole-body skeletal muscle mass (kg), bone mineral content (kg), fat mass (kg), and segmental lean mass (kg) will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Body Composition (kg) at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Whole-body skeletal muscle mass (kg), bone mineral content (kg), fat mass (kg), and segmental lean mass (kg) will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Change=(Week 24 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Body Composition (%) at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Body fat percentage (%) will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Body Composition (%) at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Body fat percentage (%) will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Change=(Week 24 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Biomarkers at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Volume-corrected serum concentration (mg/dL) of myokines, bone markers, pro-inflammatory markers, biomarkers of oxidative stress will be measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Motor Function at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) will be used to assess the degree of motor recovery of the hemiparetic upper (range: 0-66) and lower limbs (range: 0-34). Higher scores are indicative of better motor recovery. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) will be used to assess the physical performance, including 5-times sit-to-stand, balance tests (side-by-side-stand, semi-tandem stand, and tandem stand), and gait speed.

Change=(Week 12 Score- Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Motor Function at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) will be used to assess the degree of motor recovery of the hemiparetic upper (range: 0-66) and lower limbs (range: 0-34). Higher scores are indicative of better motor recovery. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) will be used to assess the physical performance, including 5-times sit-to-stand, balance tests (side-by-side-stand, semi-tandem stand, and tandem stand), and gait speed.

Change=(Week 24 Score- Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Balance Function at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Balance performance will be assessed using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (range: 0-28). Higher scores are indicative of better balance performance. Fear of falling will be assessed using the Chinese version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (range: 0-100). Higher scores are indicative of higher balance confidence.

Change=(Week 12 Score- Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Balance Function at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Balance performance will be assessed using the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (range: 0-28). Higher scores are indicative of better balance performance. Fear of falling will be assessed using the Chinese version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (range: 0-100). Higher scores are indicative of higher balance confidence.

Change=(Week 24 Score- Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Cardiopulmonary Response at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) will be measured using a graded exercise test (GXT). The GXT will be conducted following a well-validated protocol that on a whole-body recumbent stepper to assess cardiopulmonary function in stroke patients.

Change=(Week 12 VO2peak - Baseline VO2peak)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Cardiopulmonary Response at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) will be measured using a graded exercise test (GXT). The GXT will be conducted following a well-validated protocol that on a whole-body recumbent stepper to assess cardiopulmonary function in stroke patients.

Change=(Week 24 VO2peak - Baseline VO2peak)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Psychosocial Responses at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Post-stroke fatigue will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (range: 1-7). Higher scores are indicative of more severe fatigue.

Health-related quality of life will be assessed using 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (range: 0-100). Higher scores are indicative of better quality of life.

Exercise enjoyment will be assessed by the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale and Behavioural Regulation Exercise Questionnaire-3 (range: 0-400). Higher scores indicate a higher exercise enjoyment level.

Motivation for exercise will be assessed using the Behavioural Regulation Exercise Questionnaire-3 (range: 0-96). Higher scores indicate more motivation to exercise. A semi-structured interview will be additionally conducted at the end of the intervention (week 12) to explore the experiences of HIIT in stroke patients.

Change=(Week 12 Score - Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Psychosocial Responses at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Post-stroke fatigue will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (range: 1-7). Higher scores are indicative of more severe fatigue.

Health-related quality of life will be assessed using 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (range: 0-100). Higher scores are indicative of better quality of life.

Exercise enjoyment will be assessed by the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale and Behavioural Regulation Exercise Questionnaire-3 (range: 0-400). Higher scores indicate a higher exercise enjoyment level.

Motivation for exercise will be assessed using the Behavioural Regulation Exercise Questionnaire-3 (range: 0-96). Higher scores indicate more motivation to exercise. A semi-structured interview will be additionally conducted at the end of the intervention (week 12) to explore the experiences of HIIT in stroke patients.

Change=(Week 24 Score - Baseline Score)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Motor Function (meters) at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) will be used to measure walking endurance and capacity. The total distance walked in meters during the test will be recorded.

Change=(Week 12 distance - Baseline distance)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Motor Function (meters) at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) will be used to measure walking endurance and capacity. The total distance walked in meters during the test will be recorded.

Change=(Week 24 distance - Baseline distance)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Muscle Power at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24
Muscle power (watt) of knee extensors on both the paretic and nonparetic sides will be measured using the isokinetic dynamometer. Change=(Week 24 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Muscle Strength (Nm) at Week 12
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 12

Muscle strength (Nm) of knee extensors on both the paretic and nonparetic sides will be measured using the isokinetic dynamometer.

Change=(Week 12 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 12
Change from Baseline in Muscle Strength (Nm) at Week 24
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 24

Muscle strength (Nm) of knee extensors on both the paretic and nonparetic sides will be measured using the isokinetic dynamometer.

Change=(Week 24 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 24
Change from Baseline in Biomarkers at Week 6
Time Frame: Baseline and Week 6

Volume-corrected serum concentration (mg/dL) of myokines, bone markers, pro-inflammatory markers, biomarkers of oxidative stress will be measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.

Change=(Week 6 Level - Baseline Level)
Baseline and Week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 20, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 30, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 14, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 15, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 23, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HSEARS20230720002

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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