Aerobic Exercise as an Adjuvant to Aphasia Therapy: Theory, Preliminary Findings, and Future Directions.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study investigated whether participation in aerobic exercise enhances the effects of aphasia therapy, and the degree to which basal serum brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) concentrations fluctuate after the beginning of aerobic exercise or stretching activities in individuals with poststroke aphasia.

Methods

The study used a single-subject, multiple-baseline design. Seven individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia participated in 2 Blocks of aphasia therapy: aphasia therapy alone (Block 1), followed by aphasia therapy with the addition of aerobic activity via bicycle ergometer (n = 5) or stretching (n = 2) (Block 2). Serum BDNF concentrations from blood draws were analyzed in 4 participants who exercised and in 1 participant who stretched.

Findings

SUBMITTER: Harnish SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7371232 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature