Impact of High Intensity Interval Training versus Moderate Intensity Continuous Training on Upper Limb Motor Function among Subacute Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61581/mjsp.v7i03.398Keywords:
High Intensity Interval Training, Moderate Intensity Continuous Training, Motor Function, Randomized Controlled Trial, StrokeAbstract
Objective: To compare the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients.
Methods: Randomized controlled trial was conducted at department of Physical Therapy, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, over four months. Sixty patients aged 43 to 75 years with subacute ischemic stroke (1 to 6 months after onset) were randomly allocated by computer generated random numbers to Group A (HIIT, n = 30) or Group B (MICT, n = 30). Group A performed ten 60 second bouts of arm ergometer cycling at 80 to 90% of heart rate reserve (HRR), each followed by 60 seconds of active recovery. Group B performed continuous arm ergometer cycling at 50 to 60% HRR. Both groups also received 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy per session, four sessions per week for six weeks.
Results: Fifty seven participants completed the trial. Group A improved from 35.41 ± 4.55 to 50.69 ± 2.55 (Z =- 4.708, p < 0.001), and Group B improved from 34.00 ± 4.43 to 43.89 ± 2.64 (t = - 11.173, p < 0.001). The mean change was significantly greater in Group A (15.28 ± 5.18) than in Group B (9.89 ± 4.69), with t = 4.112, p < 0.001 and d = 1.09.
Conclusion: Both HIIT and MICT improved upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients, but HIIT produced a significantly greater improvement.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sardar Muhammad Waris Khan
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