High-intensity interval training for muscle power after stroke
Tests short intense exercise bursts against steady exercise in chronic stroke survivors.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Powering Up Stroke Rehabilitation Through HIIT
Key facts
- Where
- Kowloon, Hong KongSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 50 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT06554665, who can take part
Where in Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityKowloon, Hong KongTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Trial code
- NCT06554665
- Record updated
- 21 September 2026
- Original description
Objectives: To investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on musculoskeletal fitness in chronic stroke survivors.Read full original descriptionShow less
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.
Inclusion: 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: 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; Presence of other neurological comorbidities, significant liver or renal diseases, thyroid or parathyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, or a fracture within the past 6 months; Participation in ongoing stroke rehabilitation services or structured exercise programme; Contraindications to HIIT, graded exercise testing, or failure to pass medical clearance from a specialist; Cognitive or communication issues that could limit the ability to follow instructions.