Influência de um protocolo de treino aeróbico sobre a qualidade de vida e a capacidade funcional de indivíduos com acidente vascular cerebral: dados preliminares de um ensaio clínico aleatorizado

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the major diseases that causes disability in adults, due to the great impairment of sensory, motor, cognitive, coordination and loss of strength functions on one side of the body (hemiplegia). These factors contribute to the dissatisfaction about the quality of life (QoL) of these individuals, who suffer restrictions in the work environment, social participation, family life and daily life activities. Objectives: To analyze the effects of an aerobic training protocol on the QOL of individuals with chronic stroke. Methodology: We had a preliminary sample composed of 17 individuals of both sexes, presenting between 20 and 70 years of age, with a diagnosis of at least 6 months of chronic stroke, capable of walking with a velocity equal to or less than 0.9 m / s and understand simple commands. Participants were randomized into three different training groups: Control, in which the patients performed treadmill training without slope; Experimental I, in which treadmill training was done with 5% of previous slope; and Experimental II, in which treadmill training was done with 10% of previous slope. The training lasted 30 minutes, often 3 times a week for 6 weeks, totaling 18 sessions. QoL, as well as Functional Capacity (FC), were evaluated before, after 18 sessions and after a 30-day follow-up. Results: Variations in the means of both outcome variables were not statistically significant, both in intergroup and intragroup analysis. However, there was a tendency to increase these means in the Experimental I and II groups (with 5% and 10% slope). Conclusion: The results regarding treadmill training with different inclinations in patients with chronic stroke, as well as their influence on functional capacity and QOL, have not been conclusive. However, the groups that performed treadmill training (greater intensity) showed a tendency to improve in both variables, suggesting that a greater intensity of training can lead to better QoL and functional capacity of these patients.