# Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Mobility Function with Exercise Intervention (ACCOF-Ex)

> **NIH VA IK2** · BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) affects ~10% of older adults. The clinical outcome of stroke
has been studied extensively. Recent literature, including our preliminary data, demonstrates that moderate (50-
69%) and severe (≥70%) ACAS are also associated with falls and balance and mobility dysfunction. The primary
hypothesized factor underlying these deficits is cerebral hypoperfusion. In patients with severe ACAS, carotid
revascularization has been shown to improve perfusion, as well as balance and mobility dysfunction. Patients
with moderate stenosis, who form a much larger proportion of ACAS patients, do not qualify for surgery. With
830,000 Veterans estimated to have moderate ACAS, developing targeted treatment strategies to improve bal-
ance and mobility function is critical to prevent disability and preserve functional independence.
 Targeted aerobic and balance exercises increase cerebral perfusion and improve balance and mobility func-
tion in older adults without carotid stenosis. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that an aerobic and chal-
lenging balance (AeroBal) exercise intervention will improve balance and mobility function in Veterans with mod-
erate ACAS while enhancing cerebral perfusion. For this CDA-2, I propose a randomized study to evaluate the
effects of a 12-week supervised AeroBal exercise program on balance and mobility function in patients with
moderate ACAS versus standard-of-care controls. Towards this goal, I propose the following Aims:
Aim 1. Determine the effect of a 12-week supervised AeroBal exercise program on balance and mobility
function in Veterans with moderate ACAS. Hypothesis: Supervised AeroBal exercises plus standard-of-care
will lead to greater improvement in balance and mobility (primary outcome: Mini Balance Evaluation Systems
Test [Mini BESTest]) compared to standard-of-care vascular risk-factor reduction alone in patients with moderate
ACAS. Secondary outcome measures will include rate of prospective falls and measures of physical function.
Aim 2. Determine the effect of a 12-week supervised AeroBal exercise program on cerebral perfusion in
the presence of moderate ACAS. Hypothesis: Supervised AeroBal exercises plus standard-of-care will lead to
greater improvement in cerebral perfusion (primary measure: perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
and secondary measure: transcranial Doppler) compared to standard-of-care vascular risk-factor reduction alone
in patients with moderate carotid stenosis. We will also explore functional near-infrared spectroscopy as a novel
measure of perfusion that is ideal for clinical translation as it assesses perfusion during mobility tasks.
An exploratory analysis will examine the relationship between changes in balance and mobility function and
changes in cerebral perfusion. Hypothesis: Exercise-induced changes in balance and mobility function will be
related to changes in cerebral perfusion independent of changes in known vascular risk factors.
 ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10539774
- **Project number:** 1IK2RX003798-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarasijhaa K. Desikan
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-11-01 → 2027-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10539774

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10539774, Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Mobility Function with Exercise Intervention (ACCOF-Ex) (1IK2RX003798-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10539774. Licensed CC0.

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