Table 1.
Baseline data
| Experimental group (n = 60) | Control group (n = 59) | |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristics | ||
| Male (%) | 34 (57) | 36 (61) |
| Age (y) ± SD, range | 64.7 ± 8.9, 44–86 | 63.9 ± 10.6, 44–85 |
| Stroke type | ||
| TIA (%) | 34 (57) | 27 (56) |
| Ischemic stroke (%) | 26 (43) | 32 (54) |
| Stroke localization | ||
| Left (%) | 30 (50) | 31 (53) |
| Right (%) | 18 (30) | 16 (27) |
| Vertebrobasilar (%) | 12 (20) | 11 (19) |
| Vascular risk factors | ||
| Waist circumference in cm ± SD | 96.7 ± 11.2 | 96.4 ± 10.9 |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) ± SD | 124.5 ± 15.0 | 123.2 ± 15.2 |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) ± SD | 74.9 ± 9.6 | 74.3 ± 9.6 |
| Hypertensiona (%) | 48 (80) | 44 (73) |
| Anti-hypertensive treatment (%) | 41 (68) | 42 (71) |
| LDL-cholesterol (mmol/l) ± SD | 2.3 ± 0.7 | 2.3 ± 0.7 |
| Hypercholesterolemia (%) | 47 (78) | 37 (62) |
| NIHSS, median (IQR) | 0 (1) | 0 (1) |
| Active smoking (%) | 7 (12) | 14 (24) |
| History of smoking (%) | 26 (43) | 34 (58) |
| Alcohol overuse (%) | 4 (7) | 6 (10) |
| History of stroke (%) | 15 (25) | 13 (27) |
| Atrial fibrillation (%) | 0 (0) | 2 (3) |
| History of myocardial infarction or other cardiac ischemia (%) | 9 (15) | 11 (19) |
| History of other cardiac illness (%) | 49 (82) | 50 (85) |
| History of other cardiovascular disease (%) | 42 (70) | 40 (68) |
| Peripheral Artery Disease (%) | 1 (2) | 2 (3) |
| Family history of stroke (%) | 25 (42) | 25 (42) |
| Diabetes (%) | 5 (8) | 9 (15) |
| Other outcomes | ||
| MoCA (0–30) ± SD | 24.9 ± 3.2 | 25.5 ± 2.9 |
| VO2max (ml/kg/min) ± SD | 23 ± 6.5 | 22 ± 6.4 |
| PASE (0–361) ± SD | 133.8 ± 64.7 | 117.5 ± 68.9 |
| HADS (0–42) ± SD | 8.3 ± 5.7 | 10.3 ± 6.6 |
| FSS 1-7 ± SD | 3.7 ± 1.5 | 4.0 ± 1.6 |
| History of COPD or asthma (%) | 3 (5) | 3 (5) |
| OSAS (%) | 2 (3) | 3 (5) |
| Thrombolysisb (%) | 4 (7) | 6 (10) |
| Time from TIA/stroke to randomization, in days (median) | 30 | 21 |
Values are given as means with standard deviation (SD) with range or as number (percentage), unless otherwise stated.
aBased on medical history, use of antihypertensive treatment, or blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg
bHaving received thrombolysis treatment for the ischemic event at presentation