Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025
08:53
Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
592
Poststroke Cardiorespiratory Exercise for Brain Volume and Cognition: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Amy Brodtmann1,2,3, Leonid Churilov2, Kimberley Adkins1
1Department of Neuroscience, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
JAMA Network Open
|August 26, 2025
Summary
Cardiorespiratory exercise (CRX) is safe for stroke survivors but did not preserve hippocampal volume. However, CRX may benefit cognitive function after ischemic stroke, suggesting potential for future interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Health
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Stroke survivors face increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
- No proven therapies currently exist for preventing cognitive decline post-stroke.
- Cardiorespiratory exercise (CRX) is known to preserve brain health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if CRX intervention can preserve hippocampal volume (HV) and cognitive function in patients following ischemic stroke.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a CRX program in stroke survivors.
Main Methods:
- A phase 2b, assessor-blinded, randomized clinical trial (PISCES-ZODIAC) was conducted.
- Participants were randomized to either CRX (aerobic and resistance training) or a control group (balance and stretching).
- Primary outcome was relative change in HV; secondary outcome was executive function (TMT-B) at 12 months.
Main Results:
- CRX was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events.
- No significant difference was observed in hippocampal volume preservation between CRX and control groups.
- The CRX group showed significant improvement in executive function (TMT-B) compared to the control group at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- While CRX did not preserve hippocampal volume more than the control intervention, it demonstrated potential benefits for cognitive function.
- CRX may be a viable strategy for cognitive preservation in individuals post-ischemic stroke.
- Further research is warranted to optimize CRX protocols for stroke recovery.
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