Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42769467›Full record

ArticleAphasiology2026

The Aphasia Physical EXercise (APEX) study: feasibility of a new high-intensity functional interval training for stroke survivors with aphasia.

Maria V Ivanova, Michelle Gravier, Christian Thompson, Erica Pitsch, Cathra Halabi, Nina F Dronkers, Vanessa Anderson, Ferdaus Ghafury

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Aphasiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Maria V IvanovaDepartment of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Michelle GravierDepartment of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, California State University East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA.
Christian ThompsonDepartment of Kinesiology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Erica PitschDepartment of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Cathra HalabiDepartment of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Nina F DronkersDepartment of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Vanessa AndersonDepartment of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Ferdaus GhafuryDepartment of Kinesiology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Funding

Exercising language: Behavioral and neurophysiological changes after high-intensity exercise training in post-stroke aphasiaR01DC022663 · NIDCD · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · PI Maria V. Ivanova · 2025 to 2026
$1.3M
Exercising language: Behavioral and neurophysiological changes after high-intensity exercise training in post-stroke aphasia.R56DC020700 · NIDCD · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · PI IVANOVA, MARIA V. · 2023 to 2023
$713k
NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC022663NIDCD NIH HHS R56 DC020700
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Converging evidence suggests that physical exercise promotes motor and cognitive recovery after stroke, yet its potential to support language outcomes in people with aphasia remains largely unexplored. Additionally, there is a lack of structured, high-intensity and accessible exercise programs that foster adherence among stroke survivors. Aims: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and explored the preliminary effects of a novel High-Intensity Functional Interval InterVention (HI-FIIV) program for stroke survivors with aphasia. Methods & Procedures: This Phase 1, proof of concept, pilot feasibility study employed a single-group, pre-test/post-test observational quantitative design. Seven individuals with mild-to-moderate aphasia completed an 8-week, thrice-weekly HI-FIIV intervention. Safety, adherence, and satisfaction were documented. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included standardized measures of language, cognition, and physical fitness. Outcomes & Results: The program was safe, well tolerated, and achieved high adherence (97.9% attendance). Participants reported high satisfaction (mean 9.6/10). Positive changes were observed on several higher-level language measures, including sentence comprehension and fluency, as well as on cognitive tasks targeting selective attention and working memory. Aerobic endurance increased significantly, and greater fitness gains were associated with larger changes in fluency and comprehension. Conclusions: This feasibility trial demonstrated that people with aphasia can safely participate in high-intensity group exercise and show patterns of selective improvement in language and cognition. While preliminary, the observed relationship between cardiovascular endurance and specific improvements in language suggests that exercise-induced gains in aerobic fitness may support recovery in post-stroke aphasia. Overall, by targeting physical, cognitive, and linguistic domains simultaneously, the HI-FIIV program represents a promising candidate for further investigation as an augmentative approach for post-stroke rehabilitation.

Indexed as

high-intensity interval traininglanguage recoveryphysical exercisePost-stroke aphasiastroke rehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID42769467
PMCPMC13591390

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.