Search

The Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) meetings bring together an international group of preclinical and clinical researchers along with statisticians, methodologists, funders and consumers, working to accelerate the development of effective treatments for stroke recovery and to support best-evidence uptake in rehabilitation practice. The first meeting (2016) focused on four recommendation areas: translation of preclinical evidence into human discovery trials; recovery biomarkers to provide knowledge of therapeutic targets and prognosis in human stroke; intervention development, monitoring, and reporting standards; and standardized measurement in motor recovery trials. The impact of SRRR is growing, with uptake of recommendations emerging, and funders exploring ways to incorporate research targets and recommendations. At our second meeting (SRRR2, 2018), we worked on new priority areas: (1) cognitive impairment, (2) standardizing metrics for measuring quality of movement, (3) improving development of recovery trials, and (4) moving evidence-based treatments into practice. To accelerate progress towards breakthrough treatments, formation of an International Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Alliance is our next step, where working groups will take recommendations and build partnerships needed to achieve our goals.

Family members of stroke survivors are often not supported for their caring role, with many reporting adjustment difficulties. This paper describes the development and content of a group-based intervention for informal carers of stroke survivors. The intervention is based on the theoretical foundation of the biopsychosocial model with the aim to understand and address the physical, psychological and social factors of caring for stroke survivors. Findings from a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative study with carers and stroke professionals were synthesized to guide the intervention development. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was used as a framework to describe the intervention. The intervention integrates cognitive-behavioural approaches via the identification of the biopsychosocial (physical, emotional, social) factors that can have an impact on the well-being of carers. It includes education on stroke-specific topics and advice on coping strategies. It consists of six structured two-hour group sessions facilitated in a community setting. It provides information and support on adjusting to the caring role in the first year post-stroke. Intervention materials were designed for addressing carers' specific needs using psychological techniques, such as problem-solving, goal setting and relaxation exercises. We have underlined the importance for describing and reporting the process of intervention development for complex interventions in the context of stroke rehabilitation. An intervention addressing the needs of informal stroke carers (Biopsychosocial Intervention for Stroke Carers; BISC) has been developed and described. BISC was further evaluated in a single-centre feasibility randomized controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate different stroke early supported discharge (ESD) services in different geographical settings using cost-consequence analysis (CCA), which presents information about costs and outcomes in the form of a balance sheet. ESD is a multidisciplinary service intervention that facilitates discharge from hospital and includes delivery of stroke specialist rehabilitation at home. Data were collected from six purposively sampled services across the Midlands, East and North of England. All services, rural and urban, provided stroke rehabilitation to patients in their own homes. Cost data included direct and overhead costs of service provision and staff travel. Consequence data included service level adherence to an expert consensus regarding the specification of ESD service provision. We observed that the most rural services had the highest service cost per patient. The main costs associated with running each ESD service were staff costs. In terms of the consequences, there was a positive association between service costs per patient and greater adherence to meeting the evidence-based ESD service specification agreed by an expert panel. This study found that rural services were associated with higher costs per patient, which in turn were associated with greater adherence to the expert consensus regarding ESD service specification. We suggest additional resources and costs are required in order for rural services to meet evidence-based criteria. The main costs of an early supported discharge (ESD) service for stroke survivors were staff costs and these were positively associated with greater levels of rurality. Greater costs were associated with greater adherence to ESD core components, which has been previously found to enhance the effectiveness of ESD service provision. The cost-consequence analysis provides a descriptive summary for decision-makers about the costs of delivering ESD, suggesting additional resources and costs are required in order for rural services to meet evidence-based criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The context of implementation plays an important role in the delivery of optimal treatments in stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Considering that stroke systems of care vary widely across the globe, the goal of the present paper is to compare healthcare providers' priority of key areas in translating stroke research to clinical practice among High Income Countries, Upper Middle- and Lower Middle-Income Countries (HICs, UMICs, LMICs). We also aimed to compare perceptions regarding the key areas' feasibility of implementation, and formulate recommendations specific to each socioeconomic region. Data related to recommendations for knowledge translation in stroke, from a primary survey from the second Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable were segregated based on socioeconomic region. Frequency distribution was used to compare the key areas for practice change and examine the perceived feasibility of implementation of the same across HIC, UMIC and LMICs. A total of 632 responses from healthcare providers across 28 countries were received. Interdisciplinary care and access to services were high priorities across the three groups. Transitions in Care and Intensity of Practice were high priority areas in HICs, whereas Clinical Practice Guidelines were a high priority in LMICs. Interventions specific to clinical discipline, screening and assessment were among the most feasible areas in HICs, whereas Intensity of practice and Clinical Practice Guidelines were perceived as most feasible to implement in LMICs. We have identified healthcare providers' priorities for addressing international practice change across socioeconomic regions. By focusing on the most feasible key areas, we can aid the channeling of appropriate resources to bridge the disparities in stroke outcomes across HICs, UMICs and LMICs. It is pertinent to examine the differences in priorities of stroke rehabilitation professionals and the feasibility of implementing evidence-based practice across socioeconomic regions. There is an urgent necessity for the development of clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation in Low-Middle Income Countries, taking into consideration the cultural, economic and geographical constraints. In upper-middle income countries, encouraging family support and timely screening and assessment for aphasia, cognition and depression appear to be the low hanging fruits to enhance quality of life after stroke. Innovative ways to increase intensity of practice and channelling of resources to improve transitions in care may prove to be the most beneficial in advancing stroke rehabilitation in high income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Consensus Conference on Stroke in 1988 concluded that rehabilitation for stroke in the United Kingdom was poorly organised, was not based on evidence, and was associated with poor outcomes [...]

Psychoeducation can provide information and support to cope with the physical and emotional effects of a health condition. This scoping review aimed to identify the evidence regarding psychoeducational interventions for people after a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and minor stroke. This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO) were searched for articles on interventions related to psychoeducational support post-TIA and minor/mild stroke. Search retrieved 3722 articles. Three reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, full-texts, and extracted data for included studies. Study quality was assessed using the JADAD scale. TIDieR checklist was used to describe interventions. Fifteen RCTs were included. Twelve studies were of high quality (JADAD score ≥2), two were of low quality. A total of 1500 participants were recruited across studies. Definition of TIA and minor stroke was unclear, leading to the exclusion of several studies. Various interventions were included, including education/psychoeducation (n = 4); exercise and lifestyle advice (n = 3); telephone-based education/counseling (n = 3); secondary prevention education (n = 1); motivational interviewing (n = 2); self-management (n = 2). Interventions were inconsistently described, with information missing about who delivered it and tailoring. Definitions of stroke severity are not adequately reported. There are a variety of interventions including education about a range of stroke-specific topics. Many interventions are not adequately described, thus making it difficult to determine if the aim was to provide information or support post-TIA/minor stroke. There is a need for an in-depth systematic review to develop a clear definition of psychoeducation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The occupational therapy (OT) in care homes study (OTCH) aims to investigate the effect of a targeted course of individual OT (with task training, provision of adaptive equipment, minor environmental adaptations and staff education) for stroke survivors living in care homes, compared to usual care. Methods/Design A cluster randomised controlled trial of United Kingdom (UK) care homes (n = 90) with residents (n = 900) who have suffered a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and who are not receiving end-of-life care. Homes will be stratified by centre and by type of care provided and randomised (50:50) using computer generated blocked randomisation within strata to receive either the OT intervention (3 months intervention from an occupational therapist) or control (usual care). Staff training on facilitating independence and mobility and the use of adaptive equipment, will be delivered to every home, with control homes receiving this after the 12 month follow-up. Allocation will be concealed from the independent assessors, but the treating therapists, and residents will not be masked to the intervention. Measurements are taken at baseline prior to randomisation and at 3, 6 and 12 months post randomisation. The primary outcome measure is independence in self-care activities of daily living (Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index). Secondary outcome measures are mobility (Rivermead Mobility Index), mood (Geriatric Depression Scale), preference based quality of life measured from EQ-5D and costs associated with each intervention group. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) will be derived based on the EQ-5D scores. Cost effectiveness analysis will be estimated and measured by incremental cost effectiveness ratio. Adverse events will be recorded. Discussion This study will be the largest cluster randomised controlled trial of OT in care homes to date and will clarify the currently inconclusive literature on the efficacy of OT for stroke and TIA survivors residing in care homes. Trial registration ISRCTN00757750

Abstract Background Up to 42% of all stroke patients do not get out of the house as much as they would like. This can impede a person’s quality of life. This study is testing the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a new outdoor mobility rehabilitation intervention by comparing it to usual care. Methods/design This is a multi-centre parallel group individually randomised, controlled trial. At least 506 participants will be recruited through 15 primary and secondary care settings and will be eligible if they are over 18 years of age, have had a stroke and wish to get out of the house more often. Participants are being randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group. Intervention group participants receive up to 12 rehabilitation outdoor mobility sessions over up to four months. The main component of the intervention is repeated practice of outdoor mobility with a therapist. Control group participants are receiving the usual intervention for outdoor mobility limitations: verbal advice and provision of leaflets provided over one session. Outcome measures are being collected using postal questionnaires, travel calendars and by independent assessors. The primary outcome measure is the Social Function domain of the SF36v2 quality of life assessment six months after recruitment. The secondary outcome measures include: functional ability, mobility, the number of journeys (monthly travel diaries), satisfaction with outdoor mobility, mood, health-related quality of life, resource use of health and social care. Carer mood information is also being collected. The mean Social Function score of the SF-36v2 will be compared between treatment arms using a multiple membership form of mixed effects multiple regression analysis adjusting for centre (as a fixed effect), age and baseline Social Function score as covariates and therapist as a multiple membership random effect. Regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals will be presented. Discussion This study protocol describes a pragmatic randomised controlled trial that will hopefully provide robust evidence of the benefit of outdoor mobility interventions after stroke for clinicians working in the community. The results will be available towards the end of 2012. Trial registration ISRCTN58683841