ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of a 12-week movement-to-music (M2M) intervention on physical and psychosocial outcomes in people poststroke. DesignTwo-arm randomized controlled trial. SettingA community-based fitness facility. ParticipantsParticipants (N=47) with stroke between 18 and 65 years old were randomized to M2M (n=23) or waitlist control (n=24). InterventionsParticipants in M2M completed 3 60-minute exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks. Controls received biweekly educational newsletters via mail. Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcomes included Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT, in meters), Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST, in seconds) and Timed Up and Go (TUG, in seconds). Secondary outcomes were self-reported measures using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Fatigue and Pain Interference Short Form 8a. Outcomes were collected at baseline and postintervention. Analyses involved descriptive statistics and adjusted linear mixed models. ResultsMixed models adjusted for the respective baseline values and demographic variables showed that M2M participants had longer 6MWT distance (least square mean difference [LSM], 14.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], −12.9 to 42.0), more FTSST time (LSM, 2.0; 95% CI, −4.5 to 8.5), and less fatigue (LSM, −3.0; 95% CI, −7.2 to 1.2) compared with controls postintervention. When controlling for baseline TUG and demographic variables, there was a larger increase in 6MWT distance (LSM, 37.9; 95% CI, −22.7 to 98.6), lower FTSST time (LSM, −6.1; 95% CI, −18.5 to 6.2), and decrease in fatigue (LSM, −6.5; 95% CI, −13.1 to 0.2) in the M2M group compared with controls. Moderate effect sizes were observed for improving 6MWT (d=0.6), FTSST (d=−0.6), and fatigue (d=−0.6). There was no group difference in change in TUG time and pain interference, with trivial effect sizes (d=−0.1). ConclusionM2M may be a valuable exercise form for adults with stroke. Future studies are needed to determine optimal exercise doses for improving health and function in this population.
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