Osteoporosis Treatment for Patients with Stroke

PURPOSE

Little is known about the frequency of use of medications to maintain bone health for patients with stroke. This study was undertaken at an urban academic rehabilitation center to determine the prevalence of use of agents that could reduce bone loss in the stroke population.

METHOD

A clinical database was searched for all patients 18 years old and over with stroke. The sample included 1,219 inpatients and 2,776 outpatients. Demographic information (age, gender, and race) and medications were obtained for each patient.

RESULTS

Among inpatients with stroke, 7.1% were taking osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, or hormone replacement therapy), 11.3% were taking calcium supplements, 5.9% were taking vitamin D supplements, and 45.1% were taking multivitamin supplements. Among outpatients with stroke, 5.7% were taking osteoporosis medication, 5.8% were taking calcium supplements, 2.2% were taking vitamin D supplements, and 16.0% were taking multivitamin supplements. Patients being treated with specific osteoporosis therapies tended to be older and female by calculated odds ratios. The use of multivitamins was not related to age, gender, or race.

CONCLUSION

Overall, relatively few stroke patients were taking osteoporosis medications or supplements. There is a need to increase the recognition, prevention, and treatment of bone loss in this high-risk population.

Community Skill Performance and Its Association with the Ability to Perform Everyday Tasks by Stroke Survivors One Year Following Rehabilitation Discharge

BACKGROUND

Stroke survivors experience functional loss in basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and in everyday community activities or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Historically there has been a greater focus by rehabilitation professionals on basic ADLs than on IADLs.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between the ability to perform ADLs and community activities in a large group of stroke patients measured 1 year following rehabilitation discharge.

METHOD

A structured survey was administered by telephone. Outcome measures were the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), a measure of IADL, and the FIM, a measure of disability.

RESULTS

Visual inspection of the relationship between FAI scores and FIM scores revealed that the data largely followed a curvilinear pattern. Curve estimation regression models were used to determine the line of best fit. A cubic function was found to give a good fit with an R2 of 0.644. The three activities in which stroke patients most frequently engaged were social outings, walking outside for more than 15 minutes, and local shopping. The three activities in which stroke patients engaged the least were gainful work, gardening outside, and household/car maintenance.

CONCLUSION

A score of approximately 80 or greater on the FIM was associated with a substantially increased level of participation in home and community activities.

Delay in Transfer to Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: The Role of Acute Hospital Medical Complications and Stroke Characteristics

BACKGROUND

An increased delay between stroke onset and transfer to rehabilitation has been associated with poorer outcomes after stroke rehabilitation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between selected clinical factors and the interval from stroke onset to rehabilitation admission.

METHOD

A cohort of 2,457 patients consecutively admitted for inpatient stroke rehabilitation was studied. Patient demographic data, stroke characteristics, stroke onset to rehabilitation admission interval (ORAI), and medical complications that occurred during the acute post-stroke hospitalization were documented. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine relationships between patient demographic data, stroke characteristics, and acute medical complications with ORAI.

RESULTS

The average ORAI was 17.2 days, with a median of 12 days. Stroke characteristics and acute medical complications were the two groups of factors that were most strongly associated with longer ORAIs. These two groups each explained approximately 15.5% and 17.3% of the variance in the model, respectively. The most significant individual factors included the presence of an enteral feeding tube, a hemorrhagic stroke, a cortical stroke, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and younger age at stroke onset.

CONCLUSION

Although some medical problems associated with longer ORAI are functions of the severity of the stroke and patient characteristics, attention to preventable medical complications may be associated with a more rapid transition to the inpatient rehabilitation setting.

Predicting institutionalization after traumatic brain injury inpatient rehabilitation

Risk factors contributing to institutionalization after inpatient rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been well studied and need to be better understood to guide clinicians during rehabilitation. We aimed to develop a prognostic model that could be used at admission to inpatient rehabilitation facilities to predict discharge disposition. The model could be used to provide the interdisciplinary team with information regarding aspects of patients' functioning and/or their living situation that need particular attention during inpatient rehabilitation if institutionalization is to be avoided. The study population included 7219 patients with moderate-severe TBI in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) National Database enrolled from 2002-2012 who had not been institutionalized prior to injury. Based on institutionalization predictors in other populations, we hypothesized that among people who had lived at a private residence prior to injury, greater dependence in locomotion, bed-chair-wheelchair transfers, bladder and bowel continence, feeding, and comprehension at admission to inpatient rehabilitation programs would predict institutionalization at discharge. Logistic regression was used, with adjustment for demographic factors, proxy measures for TBI severity, and acute-care length-of-stay. C-statistic and predictiveness curves validated a five-variable model. Higher levels of independence in bladder management (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.88; 95% CI 0.83, 0.93), bed-chair-wheelchair transfers (OR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.83-0.93]), and comprehension (OR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.68, 0.89]) at admission were associated with lower risks of institutionalization on discharge. For every 10-year increment in age was associated with a 1.38 times higher risk for institutionalization (95% CI, 1.29, 1.48) and living alone was associated with a 2.34 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.86, 2.94). The c-statistic was 0.780. We conclude that this simple model can predict risk of institutionalization after inpatient rehabilitation for patients with TBI.

Effects of robot-guided passive stretching and active movement training of ankle and mobility impairments in stroke

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of controlled passive stretching and active movement training using a portable rehabilitation robot on stroke survivors with ankle and mobility impairment.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients at least 3 months post stroke were assigned to receive 6 week training using the portable robot in a research laboratory (robot group) or an instructed exercise program at home (control group). All patients underwent clinical and biomechanical evaluations in the laboratory at pre-evaluation, post-evaluation, and 6-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Subjects in the robot group improved significantly more than that in the control group in reduction in spasticity measured by modified Ashworth scale, mobility by Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), the balance by Berg balance score, dorsiflexion passive range of motion, dorsiflexion strength, and load bearing on the affected limb during gait after 6-week training. Both groups improved in the STREAM, dorsiflexion active range of motion and dorsiflexor strength after the training, which were retained in the follow-up evaluation.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted passive stretching and active movement training is effective in improving motor function and mobility post stroke.

Calorie and protein intake in acute rehabilitation inpatients with traumatic spinal cord injury versus other diagnoses

BACKGROUND

Obesity and its consequences affect patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). There is a paucity of data with regard to the dietary intake patterns of patients with SCI in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting. Our hypothesis is that acute rehabilitation inpatients with SCI consume significantly more calories and protein than other inpatient rehabilitation diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE

To compare calorie and protein intake in patients with new SCI versus other diagnoses (new traumatic brain injury [TBI], new stroke, and Parkinson's disease [PD]) in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting.

METHODS

The intake of 78 acute rehabilitation inpatients was recorded by registered dieticians utilizing once-weekly calorie and protein intake calculations.

RESULTS

Mean ± SD calorie intake (kcal) for the SCI, TBI, stroke, and PD groups was 1,967.9 ± 611.6, 1,546.8 ± 352.3, 1,459.7 ± 443.2, and 1,459.4 ± 434.6, respectively. ANOVA revealed a significant overall group difference, F(3, 74) = 4.74, P = .004. Mean ± SD protein intake (g) for the SCI, TBI, stroke, and PD groups was 71.5 ± 25.0, 61.1 ± 12.8, 57.6 ± 16.6, and 55.1 ± 19.1, respectively. ANOVA did not reveal an overall group difference, F(3, 74) = 2.50, P = .066.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the diet-related comorbidities and energy balance abnormalities associated with SCI, combined with the intake levels demonstrated in this study, education with regard to appropriate calorie intake in patients with SCI should be given in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting.

Validity and reliability of the Berg Balance Scale for community-dwelling persons with lower-limb amputation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for use in people with lower-limb amputation.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals (N=30; age, 54±12y; 20 men) with unilateral transtibial (n=13), unilateral transfemoral (n=14), or bilateral (n=3) lower-limb amputation of dysvascular (n=7), traumatic (n=14), infectious (n=6), or congenital (n=3) origin.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BBS, 2-minute walk test, L test, Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire-Mobility Subscale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and Frenchay Activities Index; self-reported descriptors were also collected, including frequency of prosthesis use, number of falls in 12 months before the visit, fear of falling, and daily mobility aid use.

RESULTS

The BBS had high interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient =.945) and internal consistency (α=.827). Relations between the BBS scores and those of other outcome measures were all statistically significant (P≤.001). Significant group differences in BBS scores were observed for fear of falling (P=.008) and mobility aid use (P<.001), but not for multiple (≥2) falls in the previous 12 months (P=.381). BBS items involving reaching forward, turning 360°, tandem standing, and standing on 1 leg had relatively greater frequencies of lower scores across participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The BBS appears to be a valid and reliable clinical instrument for assessing balance in individuals with lower-limb amputation, but it may not be able to discriminate between individuals with greater or lesser fall risk. Limitations in prosthetic motion and control may be responsible for the challenges experienced on items of lower performance. Future studies would be useful to assess the responsiveness of the BBS to interventions aimed at improving balance in individuals with lower-limb amputation.

Simultaneous characterizations of reflex and nonreflex dynamic and static changes in spastic hemiparesis

This study characterizes tonic and phasic stretch reflex and stiffness and viscosity changes associated with spastic hemiparesis. Perturbations were applied to the ankle of 27 hemiparetic and 36 healthy subjects under relaxed or active contracting conditions. A nonlinear delay differential equation model characterized phasic and tonic stretch reflex gains, elastic stiffness, and viscous damping. Tendon reflex was characterized with reflex gain and threshold. Reflexively, tonic reflex gain was increased in spastic ankles at rest (P < 0.038) and was not regulated with muscle contraction, indicating impaired tonic stretch reflex. Phasic-reflex gain in spastic plantar flexors was higher and increased faster with plantar flexor contraction (P < 0.012) than controls (P < 0.023) and higher in dorsi-flexors at lower torques (P < 0.038), primarily because of its increase at rest (P = 0.045), indicating exaggerated phasic stretch reflex especially in more spastic plantar flexors, which showed higher phasic stretch reflex gain than dorsi-flexors (P < 0.032). Spasticity was associated with increased tendon reflex gain (P = 0.002) and decreased threshold (P < 0.001). Mechanically, stiffness in spastic ankles was higher than that in controls across plantar flexion/dorsi-flexion torque levels (P < 0.032), and the more spastic plantar flexors were stiffer than dorsi-flexors at comparable torques (P < 0.031). Increased stiffness in spastic ankles was mainly due to passive stiffness increase (P < 0.001), indicating increased connective tissues/shortened fascicles. Viscous damping in spastic ankles was increased across the plantar flexion torque levels and at lower dorsi-flexion torques, reflecting increased passive viscous damping (P = 0.033). The more spastic plantar flexors showed higher viscous damping than dorsi-flexors at comparable torque levels (P < 0.047). Simultaneous characterizations of reflex and nonreflex changes in spastic hemiparesis may help to evaluate and treat them more effectively.

Effects of repeated ankle stretching on calf muscle-tendon and ankle biomechanical properties in stroke survivors

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in active and passive biomechanical properties of the calf muscle-tendon unit induced by controlled ankle stretching in stroke survivors.

METHODS

Ten stroke survivors with ankle spasticity/contracture and ten healthy control subjects received intervention of 60-min ankle stretching. Joint biomechanical properties including resistance torque, stiffness and index of hysteresis were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Achilles tendon length was measured using ultrasonography. The force output of the triceps surae muscles was characterized via the torque-angle relationship, by stimulating the calf muscles at a controlled intensity across different ankle positions.

FINDINGS

Compared to healthy controls, the ankle position corresponding to the peak torque of the stroke survivors was shifted towards plantar flexion (P<0.001). Stroke survivors showed significantly higher resistance torques and joint stiffness (P<0.05), and these higher resistances were reduced significantly after the stretching intervention, especially in dorsiflexion (P=0.013). Stretching significantly improved the force output of the impaired calf muscles in stroke survivors under matched stimulations (P<0.05). Ankle range of motion was also increased by stretching (P<0.001).

INTERPRETATION

At the joint level, repeated stretching loosened the ankle joint with increased passive joint range of motion and decreased joint stiffness. At the muscle-tendon level, repeated stretching improved calf muscle force output, which might be associated with decreased muscle fascicle stiffness, increased fascicle length and shortening of the Achilles tendon. The study provided evidence of improvement in muscle tendon properties through stretching intervention.

Development and validation of participation and positive psychologic function measures for stroke survivors

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability and validity of Neurologic Quality of Life (NeuroQOL) item banks that assess quality-of-life (QOL) domains not typically included in poststroke measures.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of item responses to selected NeuroQOL domains.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling stroke survivors (n=111) who were at least 12 months poststroke.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Five measures developed for 3 NeuroQoL domains: ability to participate in social activities, satisfaction with participation in social activities, and positive psychologic function.

RESULTS

A single bank was developed for the positive psychologic function domain, but 2 banks each were developed for the ability-to-participate and satisfaction-with-participation domains. The resulting item banks showed good psychometric properties and external construct validity with correlations with the legacy instruments, ranging from .53 to .71. Using these measures, stroke survivors in this sample reported an overall high level of QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

The NeuroQoL-derived measures are promising and valid methods for assessing aspects of QOL not typically measured in this population.

Locomotor Training Improves Daily Stepping Activity and Gait Efficiency in Individuals Poststroke Who Have Reached a “Plateau” in Recovery

Background and Purpose— Individuals with chronic stroke often demonstrate a “plateau,” or deceleration of motor recovery, which may lead to discharge from physical therapy (PT). However, numerous studies report improvements in motor function when individuals are provided intensive practice of motor tasks. We suggest that reduced task-specific walking practice during clinical PT contributes to limited gains in ambulatory function in those with a perceived plateau poststroke, and suggest that further gains can be realized if intensive stepping, or locomotor training (LT) is provided after discharge.

Methods— Twenty subjects with chronic stroke completed a repeated baseline measures, randomized crossover trial in which walking performance was assessed during the last 4 weeks of clinical PT before discharge secondary to reaching a plateau, followed by 4 weeks of intensive LT and 4 weeks of no intervention. Outcome measures included clinical and physiological (metabolic) measures of walking overground and on a treadmill, and measures of daily stepping activity in the home and community, including during clinical PT and subsequent LT sessions.

Results— Stepping practice was more than 4-fold higher during LT versus clinical PT sessions, with significant improvements in daily stepping and gait efficiency only after LT. Changes in daily stepping after clinical PT and intensive LT were correlated ( P <0.001) with the amount of stepping practice received during these interventions.

Conclusions— Intensive LT results in improved daily stepping in individuals poststroke who have been discharged from PT because of a perceived plateau in motor function. These improvements may be related to the amount and intensity of stepping practice.

Trends in stroke rehabilitation

Certain shifts and trends in stroke rehabilitation practices are occurring in the US, deriving from scientific developments, regulatory requirements, and other sources. The prevalence of stroke is increasing in the US, duration of rehabilitation hospitalizations is decreasing, and the availability of alternative methods and locations of rehabilitation services is expanding. More awareness of measures to treat medical comorbidities and the associated disabilities of stroke can be expected to enhance outcomes. New and innovative techniques, including constraint induced movement therapy, pharmacological agents, complementary or alternative medicine techniques such as acupuncture, and community activities such as exercise classes, are more widespread practices now. Novel technological interventions such as robotics and cortical stimulation are being developed to facilitate improved outcomes. The essential focus of these practices on enhancing quality of life of stroke survivors remains unaltered.

Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity: executive summary

The general objective of the "Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity" was to advance and promote research in medical rehabilitation by making recommendations to expand research capacity. The five elements of research capacity that guided the discussions were: (1) researchers; (2) research culture, environment, and infrastructure; (3) funding; (4) partnerships; and (5) metrics. The 100 participants included representatives of professional organizations, consumer groups, academic departments, researchers, governmental funding agencies, and the private sector. The small group discussions and plenary sessions generated an array of problems, possible solutions, and recommended actions. A post-Summit, multi-organizational initiative is called to pursue the agendas outlined in this report.

Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity—Executive Summary

The advancement of medical science depends on the production, availability, and utilization of new information generated by research. A successful research enterprise depends not only on a carefully designed agenda that responds to clinical and societal needs but also on the research capacity necessary to perform the work. Research that is likely to enhance clinical practice presupposes the existence of a critical mass of investigators working as teams in supportive environments. Unfortunately, far too little research capacity of that kind exists in rehabilitation medicine to ensure a robust future for the field. The "Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity" was conceptualized as a way of fashioning a long-term plan to foster the required developments.