The Efficacy of HIIT Programs for the Improvement of Aerobic Capacity and Functionality for Stroke Survivors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cerebrovascular accident is a neurological disease, characterised by acute onset that lasts for more than 24 h, leading to motor, sensory and cognitive impairments or even death. High-intensity interval training is a type of aerobic training that presents an increase of the > 80% of maximum heart rate, aiming to improve VO₂ peak, leading to improvements in various health-related parameters. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on aerobic and functional capacity for poststroke survivors. Two investigators searched the electronic databases MEDLINE/PUBMED, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and EBSCO, until August 2024. In this review, 11 studies met the eligible criteria and were included. The statistical analysis was conducted by pooling the mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence intervals. For the establishment of meta-analysis, the heterogeneity statistical index I² was used. From the 11 included studies, 458 stroke survivors were extracted. HIIT yield improvements were observed in VO₂ peak (p value = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.72–4.06), 6MWT (p value < 0.001, 95% CI = 38.55–149.41), 10MWT (p value < 0.01, 95% CI = 0.20–0.36), BBS (p value < 0.01, 95% CI = 3.43–7.51), EQ-5D (p value = 0.001, 95% CI = 3.67–15.13), and cognition (p value = 0.009, 95% CI = 0.41–2.89). No significant difference was presented for HR (p value = 0.58, 95% CI = −11.82–21.10), TUG (p value = 0.055, 95% CI = −2.25 to 0.02) and step count (p value = 0.71, 95% CI = −1479–2163). High-intensity interval training is a safe rehabilitation method affecting positively the aerobic capacity and the majority of motor function of stroke survivors.