Does Aerobic Exercise Affect Memory and Fatigue After Acquired Brain Injury?

Does Aerobic Exercise Affect Memory, Attention, Working Memory, and Fatigue After Acquired Brain Injury? A Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Acquired brain injury can affect cognition and cause fatigue. Aerobic exercise has been linked to improved cognition in the general population. This is thought to occur through boosting neuroplasticity, that is to say the brain's ability to change and adapt. Investigators explored the effects of aerobic exercise after acquired brain injury and investigated if any changes on the brain could be detected. This was done through an 8-week period of 30 min of aerobic exercise, 3-4 times a week for a group of 6 participants compared with 6 participants that did their usual training. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect any changes on the brain.

The objective is to study the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function, fatigue and neuroplasticity after stroke or traumatic brain injury with a randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were patients aged 16-65 years with moderate to severe stroke or traumatic brain injury at least 3 months post injury. The intervention group participated in 30 min of aerobic exercise 3-4 times/week for 8 weeks during their outpatient rehabilitation. The control group received routine physical therapy. In addition, both groups received rehabilitation according to their rehabilitation plan. Neuropsychological and endurance testing was performed before and after the intervention and at a 3 month follow up. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• - First stroke/TBI with CT/MRI verified injury, (moderate to severe brain injury)
• Age 18-65 years
• at least 3 months after injury
• Fluent in Swedish Selection criteria
• Cognition:
• one standard deviation (SD) below age adjusted normal in at least one of the following tests: verbal memory, visual memory, working memory or attention
• be able to follow instructions during neuropsychological (NP) testing.
• be able to reach 60-80% of estimated maximal heart rate (HRmax= 220-age) during aerobic testing and training

Exclusion Criteria:

• - Severe heart disease
• Cognitive defects, not due to the actual stroke or TBI
• Moderate depression/anxiety, defined as >10 respectively on HADS
• Severe aphasia
• Not fulfilling criterias for MRI (such as pregnancy, having metal parts implanted in the body, afraid of cramped spaces)