Effects and mechanism of the HECT study (hybrid exercise-cognitive trainings) in mild ischemic stroke with cognitive decline: fMRI for brain plasticity, biomarker and behavioral analysis

Ting-ting Yeh; Ku-chou Chang; Ching-yi Wu; Ya-yun Lee; Po-yu Chen; Jen-wen Hung

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2018.02.003

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications (Mar 2018)

Effects and mechanism of the HECT study (hybrid exercise-cognitive trainings) in mild ischemic stroke with cognitive decline: fMRI for brain plasticity, biomarker and behavioral analysis

Ting-ting Yeh,
Ku-chou Chang,
Ching-yi Wu,
Ya-yun Lee,
Po-yu Chen,
Jen-wen Hung

Affiliations

Ting-ting Yeh: Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Ku-chou Chang: Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Ching-yi Wu: Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Ya-yun Lee: School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Po-yu Chen: Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Jen-wen Hung: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2018.02.003
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. C
pp. 164 – 171

Abstract

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Purpose: Cognitive decline after stroke is highly associated with functional disability. Empirical evidence shows that exercise combined cognitive training may induce neuroplastic changes that modulate cognitive function. However, it is unclear whether hybridized exercise-cognitive training can facilitate cortical activity and physiological outcome measures and further influence on the cognitive function after stroke. This study will investigate the effects of two hybridized exercise-cognitive trainings on brain plasticity, physiological biomarkers and behavioral outcomes in stroke survivors with cognitive decline. Methods and significance: This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A target sample size of 75 participants is needed to obtain a statistical power of 95% with a significance level of 5%. Stroke survivors with mild cognitive decline will be stratified by Mini-Mental State Examination scores and then randomized 1:1:1 to sequential exercise-cognitive training, dual-task exercise-cognitive training or control groups. All groups will undergo training 60 min/day, 3 days/week, for a total of 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the resting-state functional connectivity and neural activation in the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes in functional magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary outcomes include physiological biomarkers, cognitive functions, physical function, daily functions and quality of life. This study may differentiate the effects of two hybridized trainings on cognitive function and health-related conditions and detect appropriate neurological and physiological indices to predict training effects. This study capitalizes on the groundwork for a non-pharmacological intervention of cognitive decline after stroke.

Published in Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

ISSN: 2451-8654 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/contemporary-clinical-trials-communications/

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