Abstract P353: Effect of Exergaming-Based Dance Training Paradigm in Improving Cardiovascular Function and Functional Mobility Among People With Chronic Stroke

Abstract

Background: Dance-based exergaming (DBExG) , could potentially facilitate cardiovascular conditioning and functional mobility while enhancing physical activity behavior among people with chronic stroke (PwCS). Albeit, PwCS exhibits limitations (e.g., health care, and travel) in laboratory/outpatient rehabilitation programs, making them inaccessible. The DBExG from the laboratory (phase 1) to a safe and feasible home-based exercise program (phase 2) could effectively improve cardiovascular and functional mobility and address the accessibility limitations. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility, effect, and adherence of DBExG in promoting heart rate variability (HRV) and functional mobility in a laboratory and home-based rehabilitation approach. Design: Pre-post interventional study. Setting: Laboratory (phase 1) and home-based (phase 2) settings. Methods: Community-dwelling PwCS (n=10) participated in the study and received DBExG training using the commercially available Kinect dance gaming “Just Dance 3”. The first 6 weeks of training were provided in the laboratory setting and were delivered in a high-intensity tapering method with the first two weeks consisting of 5 sessions/week, the next two weeks of 3 sessions/week, and the last two weeks of 2 sessions/week, with a total of 20 sessions. Followed by 4 more weeks of DBExG training in the participant’s house (3 days/week), with a total of 12 sessions. Feasibility was addressed by acceptability and retention. Data obtained for HRV analysis pre- and post-intervention consists of HRV for ten minutes in (1) supine resting position; and (2) quiet standing. High-frequency (HF) power measures as indicators of cardiac parasympathetic activity, low-frequency (LF) power of parasympathetic-sympathetic balance, and LF/HF of sympatho-vagal balance were calculated. Six-minute walk test (6-MWT) was used to assess functional mobility. Changes in physical activity during pre- and post-intervention for one week and also during dance training were assessed using Fibit. Results: All participants completed the laboratory and home-based DBExG. All participants reported enjoying the sessions and most felt they were beneficial. Study retention and session adherence was 90% and 96%, in phase 1, and 2 respectively. There were no falls, or adverse safety events reported in either phase of the study. The results showed improvements in HRV HF, LF, and LF/HF. The result findings indicated significant improvement in the 6-MWT. The number of steps during dance intervention increased significantly from 1 st to the 32 nd session. Conclusions: A combination of laboratory, transitioned to home-based maintenance therapy approach appears feasible, safe, and effective thus promising for post-stroke rehabilitation. A larger randomized controlled trial is recommended to further investigate efficacy.