This is a pilot study to determine whether a lifestyle medicine intervention following stroke may increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
Name: Wellness in Rehabilitation program
Description: The 12-week Wellness in Rehabilitation program includes weekly in-person meetings including aerobic exercise, nutrition/cooking training, stress management techniques, education, and group support. A health coach will facilitate continuation of healthy behaviors at home.Type: BehavioralPost-stroke
Description: Plasma BDNF protein levels, expressed in nanograms per milliliter, measured prior to any exercise upon completion of intervention.
Measure: BDNF level - Final Time: Week 12Description: Plasma BDNF protein levels, expressed in nanograms per milliliter, measured immediately following bout of aerobic exercise.
Measure: BDNF level - Post-exercise Time: Week 6Description: Genotyping of venous blood samples to determine ValVal, MetMet, and ValMet distribution.
Measure: BDNF Genotype Time: BaselineDescription: Measured as VO2 max (ml/kg/min).
Measure: Cardiovascular Fitness - VO2 max Time: Week 12Description: Measured as estimated metabolic equivalents (kcal/kg/hour).
Measure: Cardiovascular Fitness - METs Time: Week 12Description: Total distance walked 6 minutes on a flat surface.
Measure: 6-minute Walk Test Time: Week 12Single Group Assignment
There is one SNP
An single nucleotide polymorphism exists on the BDNF gene in 30-50% of the human population that results in an amino acid change from valine (val) to methionine (met) at position 66 (val66met) of the precursor peptide proBDNF. --- val66met ---