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Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients with Right Hemisphere Damage Using Assisted Active Exercise
Published on: February 9, 2024
Exercise as therapy for neurodevelopmental and cognitive dysfunction in people with a Fontan circulation: A narrative
Charlotte Elizabeth Verrall1,2,3, Derek Lee Tran3,4,5, Joseph Yuan-Mou Yang6,7,8,9
1Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract:
People with a Fontan circulation are at risk of neurodevelopmental delay and disability, and cognitive dysfunction, that has significant implications for academic and occupational attainment, psychosocial functioning, and overall quality of life. Interventions for improving these outcomes are lacking. This review article discusses current intervention practices and explores the evidence supporting exercise as a potential intervention for improving cognitive functioning in people living with a Fontan circulation. Proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning these associations are discussed in the context of Fontan physiology and avenues for future research are recommended.
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Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes

