Use of time by physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a stroke rehabilitation unit: A comparison between four European rehabilitation centres

Addressing ADL ability in people with poststroke cognitive impairments: A Danish survey of clinical practice

BACKGROUND

In Denmark, stroke represents a leading disability cause. While people with difficulties in performing activities of daily living (ADL) due to poststroke cognitive impairments are often referred to occupational therapy, limited knowledge is available on the nature of these services.

AIM/OBJECTIVE

To explore how Danish occupational therapists describe their practice when addressing decreased ADL ability in people with poststroke cognitive impairments in hospital and municipality settings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

National, cross-sectorial, web-based public survey.

RESULTS

244 occupational therapists accessed the survey; 172 were included in the analysis. Most respondents could indicate the theory guiding their reasoning; half used standardised assessments. Regarding intervention, restorative and acquisitional models were preferred; specific strategies were identified. Intensity: 30-45 min 3-4 times/week in hospitals; 30-60 min 1-2 times/week in municipalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapists report to be guided by theory in their reasoning. Standardised assessments are used to a higher extend than previously reported. Still, the results invite critical reflections on correct use of assessment instruments, content and intensity of interventions, and how therapists keep themselves updated.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results document the need for practice improvements and may inform the definition of standard care in future trials.

Effect of mobile application types on stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a significant contributor of worldwide disability and morbidity with substantial economic consequences. Rehabilitation is a vital component of stroke recovery, but inpatient stroke rehabilitation programs can struggle to meet the recommended hours of therapy per day outlined by the Canadian Stroke Best Practices and American Heart Association. Mobile applications (apps) are an emerging technology which may help bridge this deficit, however this area is understudied. The purpose of this study is to review the effect of mobile apps for stroke rehabilitation on stroke impairments and functional outcomes. Specifically, this paper will delve into the impact of varying mobile app types on stroke rehabilitation.

METHODS

This systematic review included 29 studies: 11 randomized control trials and 18 quasi-experimental studies. Data extrapolation mapped 5 mobile app types (therapy apps, education apps, rehab videos, reminders, and a combination of rehab videos with reminders) to stroke deficits (motor paresis, aphasia, neglect), adherence to exercise, activities of daily living (ADLs), quality of life, secondary stroke prevention, and depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

There were multiple studies supporting the use of therapy apps for motor paresis or aphasia, rehab videos for exercise adherence, and reminders for exercise adherence. For permutations involving other app types with stroke deficits or functional outcomes (adherence to exercise, ADLs, quality of life, secondary stroke prevention, depression and anxiety), the results were either non-significant or limited by a paucity of studies.

CONCLUSION

Mobile apps demonstrate potential to assist with stroke recovery and augment face to face rehabilitation, however, development of a mobile app should be carefully planned when targeting specific stroke deficits or functional outcomes. This study found that mobile app types which mimicked principles of effective face-to-face therapy (massed practice, task-specific practice, goal-oriented practice, multisensory stimulation, rhythmic cueing, feedback, social interaction, and constraint-induced therapy) and education (interactivity, feedback, repetition, practice exercises, social learning) had the greatest benefits. Protocol registration PROPSERO (ID CRD42021186534). Registered 21 February 2021.

Feasibility and cost description of highly intensive rehabilitation involving new technologies in patients with post-acute stroke-a trial of the Swiss RehabTech Initiative

Background

There is a need to provide highly repetitive and intensive therapy programs for patients after stroke to improve sensorimotor impairment. The employment of technology-assisted training may facilitate access to individualized rehabilitation of high intensity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and acceptance of a high-intensity technology-assisted training for patients after stroke in the subacute or chronic phase and to establish its feasibility for a subsequent randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A longitudinal, multi-center, single-group study was conducted in four rehabilitation clinics. Patients participated in a high-intensity 4-week technology-assisted trainings consisting of 3 to 5 training days per week and at least 5 training sessions per day with a duration of 45 min each. Feasibility was evaluated by examining recruitment, intervention-related outcomes (adherence, subjectively perceived effort and effectiveness, adverse events), patient-related outcomes, and efficiency gains. Secondary outcomes focused on all three domains of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health. Data were analyzed and presented in a descriptive manner.

Results

In total, 14 patients after stroke were included. Participants exercised between 12 and 21 days and received between 28 and 82 (mean 46 ± 15) technology-assisted trainings during the study period, which corresponded to 2 to 7 daily interventions. Treatment was safe. No serious adverse events were reported. Minor adverse events were related to tiredness and exertion. From baseline to the end of the intervention, patients improved in several functional performance assessments of the upper and lower extremities. The efficiency gains of the trainings amounted to 10% to 58%, in particular for training of the whole body and for walking training in severely impaired patients.

Conclusions

Highly intensive technology-assisted training appears to be feasible for in- and outpatients in the subacute or chronic phase after stroke. Further clinical trials are warranted in order to define the most comprehensive approach to highly intensive technology-assisted training and to investigate its efficacy in patients with neurological disorders.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03641651 at August 31st 2018

Impact of Dose of Combined Conventional and Robotic Therapy on Upper Limb Motor Impairments and Costs in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Study

Introduction

Robot-based training integrated into usual care might optimize therapy productivity and increase treatment dose. This retrospective study compared two doses of an upper limb rehabilitation program combining robot-assisted therapy and occupational therapy on motor recovery and costs after stroke.

Methods

Thirty-six subacute stroke patients [Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score 32 ± 12 points; mean ± SD] underwent a combined program of 29 ± 3 sessions of robot-assisted therapy and occupational therapy. Scheduled session time for the higher dose group (HG) was 90 min (two 45-min sessions; n = 14) and for the lower dose group (LG) was 60 min (two 30-min sessions; n = 22). Pre-/post-treatment change in FMA score (ΔFMA, %), actual active time (min), number of movements and number of movements per minute per robot-assisted therapy session were compared between groups. The costs of the combined programs were also analyzed.

Results

ΔFMA did not differ significantly between groups; the HG improved by 16 ± 13 % and the LG by 11 ± 8%. A between-group difference was found for actual active time (p = 1.06E⁻¹³) and number of movements (p = 4.42E⁻²) but not for number of movements per minute during robot-assisted therapy: the HG performed 1,023 ± 344 movements over 36 ± 3 min and the LG performed 796 ± 301 movements over 29 ± 1 min. Both groups performed 28 movements per minute. The combined program cost was €2017 and €1162 for HG and LG, respectively.

Conclusions

Similar motor improvements were observed following two doses of movement-based training. The reduction in scheduled session time did not affect the intensity of the practice and met economic constraints.

Patient functional independence and occupational therapist time-use in inpatient services: Patient demographic and clinical correlates

Introduction

Health care expenditure has rapidly increased in Australia. Effective management of occupational therapy services is required to meet clinical demand. Improving our understanding of factors which influence occupational therapy service delivery is a vital step to manage workload distribution and optimise service efficiency. This study aims to examine the influence of patient sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis and functional independence on the utilisation of occupational therapy resources in hospital inpatients over 18 years old.

Methods

Prospective, cross-sectional, observational cohort study of 4549 inpatients from three hospital sites in Melbourne, Australia. Data extracted from organisational databases and included in this study were: patient demographics, diagnosis, functional level assessed using the SMAF (Functional Autonomy Measurement System) and occupational therapy time-use. Data were analysed using univariable and multivariable modelling.

Results

Occupational therapy time-use was significantly associated with all variables included in analysis (p < 0.05). For each variable the amount and direction of effect differed between hospital sites. The SMAF was the only variable consistently associated with occupational therapy time-use. Higher occupational therapy time-use was associated with lower functional independence (leading to a 3.5 min increase in median occupational therapy time for every unit decrease in SMAF score).

Conclusions

Management of resources within busy hospitals require knowledge of factors associated with occupational therapist time-use. This study identified that time-use could in part be predicted by functional independence, diagnosis and sociodemographic characteristics. Occupational therapy managers can use this information to support decision making while acknowledging other patient and therapist level factors also influence time-use.

How active are stroke patients in physiotherapy sessions and is this associated with stroke severity?

PURPOSE

Exercise improves functional outcome post-stroke, but how long patients with differing severity spend undertaking active exercise within physiotherapy sessions is unknown. We aimed to investigate if stroke severity is associated with time undertaking active exercise in physiotherapy sessions, and if any differences between planned and actual physiotherapy session length existed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study of 107 stroke rehabilitation sessions in a UK acute stroke unit. Data recorded included patient demographics (age, gender, time post-stroke and Barthel Index score) and session attributes (planned and actual session length, time undertaking active exercise, grade of treating therapist).

RESULTS

There was a significant negative association between increasing stroke severity and percentage of time undertaking active exercise in physiotherapy sessions (p < 0.001). No other observed factors were associated with time undertaking active exercise. Mean session length across all levels of stroke severity was 32 min (SD 9.26) which was significantly less than planned (p < 0.05). There was no difference in mean session length or between planned and actual physiotherapy session length between patients of differing severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with greater stroke severity participate in less active exercise in physiotherapy sessions than those with lesser stroke severity. Reasons for this disparity warrant further investigation.Implications for rehabilitationStroke patients with higher levels of severity engage in less active exercise during rehabilitation.A discrepancy exists between patients' planned physiotherapy session lengths and actual session lengths during stroke rehabilitation.Physiotherapists should be mindful in how to adapt their sessions (particularly with severe stroke patients) to maximise the amount of activity they undertake.Physiotherapists should be flexible in their delivery of rehabilitation to ensure that the length of patient sessions reflect patients' needs.

Delivery, dose, outcomes and resource use of stroke therapy: the SSNAPIEST observational study

Background

Therapy is key to effective stroke care, but many patients receive little.

Objectives

To understand how stroke therapy is delivered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and which factors are associated with dose, outcome and resource use.

Design

Secondary analysis of the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme, using standard descriptive statistics and multilevel mixed-effects regression models, while adjusting for all known and measured confounders.

Setting

Stroke services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Participants

A total of 94,905 adults admitted with stroke, who remained an inpatient for > 72 hours.

Results

Routes through stroke services were highly varied (> 800), but four common stroke pathways emerged. Seven distinct impairment-based patient subgroups were characterised. The average amount of therapy was very low. Modifiable factors associated with the average amount of inpatient therapy were type of stroke team, timely therapy assessments, staffing levels and model of therapy provision. More (of any type of) therapy was associated with shorter length of stay, less resource use and lower mortality. More occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychology were also associated with less disability and institutionalisation. Large amounts of physiotherapy were associated with greater disability and institutionalisation.

Limitations

Use of observational data does not infer causation. All efforts were made to adjust for all known and measured confounding factors but some may remain. We categorised participants using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, which measures a limited number of impairments relatively crudely, so mild or rare impairments may have been missed.

Conclusions

Stroke patients receive very little therapy. Modifiable organisational factors associated with greater amounts of therapy were identified, and positive associations between amount of therapy and outcome were confirmed. The reason for the unexpected associations between large amounts of physiotherapy, disability and institutionalisation is unknown. Prospective work is urgently needed to investigate further. Future work needs to investigate (1) prospectively, the association between physiotherapy and outcome; (2) the optimal amount of therapy to provide for different patient groups; (3) the most effective way of organising stroke therapy/rehabilitation services, including service configuration, staffing levels and working hours; and (4) how to reduce unexplained variation in resource use.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 17. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

How are balance and mobility problems after stroke treated in England? An observational study of the content, dose and context of physiotherapy

Objective:

To describe the dose, intensity and context of physiotherapy for balance and mobility problems after stroke.

Design:

Process mapping to describe the context and non-participant observation of therapy sessions to describe the dose and content of therapy.

Setting:

Four inpatient stroke units in North-West England.

Participants:

Therapy staff and previously mobile stroke survivors who were treating, or receiving treatment for balance and mobility problems in the participating units.

Results:

Two units were stand-alone rehabilitation units; two offered a service at the weekends. One had no access to community-based rehabilitation. All had dedicated treatment facilities but often did not use them because of lack of space and difficulty transporting patients. Twenty-two patients participated and 100 treatment sessions were observed. Practicing walking, sit-to-stand and transfers were the most frequent objectives and interventions usually with the therapist(s) physically facilitating the patient’s movements. The dose of practise was low; mean repetitions of sit-to-stand per session was 5 (SD 6.4); mean time spent upright per session was 11.24 (SD = 7) minutes, and mean number of steps per session was 202 (SD 118). The mean number of staff per patient was 2.1 (SD = 0.6, mode = 2), usually involving two qualified therapists. Falls prevention or management, wheelchair skills and bed mobility were not practised.

Conclusion:

Stroke physiotherapy for balance and mobility problems features low-dose, low-intensity therapist-led practice, mainly of walking and sit-to-stand. Staff:patient ratios were high. Therapists need to organize treatment sessions to maximize the intensity of functional task practice.

What factors influence time-use of occupational therapists in the workplace? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Health-care expenditure is rapidly increasing in Australia with increasing pressure on health-care services to review processes, improve efficiency and ensure equity in service delivery. The nursing profession have improved efficiency and patient care by investigating time-use to describe current practice and support development of workforce planning models. There is, however, a lack of information to understand factors that impact on occupational therapists time-use in the clinical setting impacting the development of workforce planning models which adapt occupational therapy service delivery to match resources with demand. The objective of this review was to systematically identify known factors which impact on occupational therapists time-use in the clinical setting.

METHOD

A systematic review of Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases and grey literature was completed in September 2016. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion and quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black scale. Variables impacting on occupational therapists time-use were categorised and thematically analysed to synthesise key themes.

RESULTS

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Three key categories of factors influencing time-use were identified. These were: patient-related factors (e.g. level of function, therapy required, type, complexity of injury), therapist-related factors (e.g. experience, clinical vs non-clinical responsibility), and organisational-related factors (e.g. workplace characteristics, availability of staff, presence of students).

CONCLUSION

Occupational therapist time-use in clinical settings is complex and difficult to quantify in research. How occupational therapists spend their time is impacted by a number of patient, clinician and service related factors reflecting the breadth of occupational therapy practice and client-centred nature of the profession.

Paediatric Rehabilitation Ingredients Measure: a new tool for identifying paediatric neurorehabilitation content

AIM

To develop an instrument (Paediatric Rehabilitation Ingredients Measure [PRISM]) for quantitative estimation of contents of interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation for use in studies of relationships between rehabilitation treatment delivered and severity-adjusted outcomes after acquired brain injury (ABI).

METHOD

The measure was developed using an ingredients-mediators-outcomes model consistent with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, a literature review, and other current initiatives in the development of rehabilitation treatment taxonomies, with item codevelopment in workshops with rehabilitation professionals. Interrater reliability was assessed in inpatient and residential paediatric rehabilitation settings.

RESULTS

Although sometimes an initially unfamiliar perspective on rehabilitation practice, PRISM's acceptability amongst professionals was excellent. Internal consistency of scores was sometimes an issue for users unfamiliar with the tool; however, this improved with practice and interrater reliability (assessed by Kendall's W) was good. The tool was felt to have particular value in facilitating interdisciplinary communication and working. Modifications to the design of the tool have improved internal consistency.

INTERPRETATION

PRISM supports identification of the 'active ingredients' of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation package and facilitates interdisciplinary communication. It also has potential as a research tool examining relationships between rehabilitation delivered and severity-adjusted outcomes observed after paediatric ABI.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Identifying contribution of rehabilitation to outcomes after acquired brain injury requires quantification of rehabilitation 'dose' and 'content'. Previous approaches to 'parsing' of rehabilitation dose and content may have overemphasized one-to-one sessions with therapists. We present a novel, holistic tool for identification of ingredients of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation package. It supports interdisciplinary communication and has potential as a research tool.

Improving post-stroke recovery: the role of the multidisciplinary health care team

Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability, the effects of which may be prolonged with physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences not only for those affected but also for their family and friends. Evidence for the effectiveness of stroke unit care and the benefits of thrombolysis have transformed treatment for people after stroke. Previously viewed nihilistically, stroke is now seen as a medical emergency with clear evidence-based care pathways from hospital admission to discharge. However, stroke remains a complex clinical condition that requires health professionals to work together to bring to bear their collective knowledge and specialist skills for the benefit of stroke survivors. Multidisciplinary team working is regarded as fundamental to delivering effective care across the stroke pathway. This paper discusses the contribution of team working in improving recovery at key points in the post-stroke pathway.

Why do patients with stroke not receive the recommended amount of active therapy (ReAcT)? Study protocol for a multisite case study investigation

INTRODUCTION

Increased frequency and intensity of inpatient therapy contributes to improved outcomes for stroke survivors. Differences exist in the amount of therapy provided internationally. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is recommended that a minimum of 45 min of each active therapy should be provided at least 5 days a week provided the therapy is appropriate and that the patient can tolerate this. Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (2014) data demonstrate this standard is not being achieved for most patients. No research been undertaken to explore how therapists in England manage their practice to meet time-specific therapy recommendations. The ReAcT study aims to develop an in-depth understanding of stroke therapy provision, including how the guideline of 45 min a day of each relevant therapy, is interpreted and implemented by therapists, and how it is experienced by stroke-survivors and their families.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A multisite ethnographic case study design in a minimum of six stroke units will include modified process mapping, observations of service organisation, therapy delivery and documentary analysis. Semistructured interviews with therapists and service managers (n=90), and with patients and informal carers (n=60 pairs) will be conducted. Data will be analysed using the Framework approach.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study received a favourable ethical opinion via the National Research Ethics Service (reference number: 14/NW/0266). Participants will provide written informed consent or, where stroke-survivors lack capacity, a consultee declaration will be sought. ReAcT is designed to generate insights into the organisational, professional, social, practical and patient-related factors acting as facilitators or barriers to providing the recommended amount of therapy. Provisional recommendations will be debated in consensus meetings with stakeholders who have not participated in ReAcT case studies or interviews. Final recommendations will be disseminated to therapists, service managers, clinical guideline developers and policymakers and stroke-survivors and informal carers.

The promotion of recovery through rehabilitation after acquired brain injury in children

A degree of motor recovery is typically seen after acquired brain injury in children. The extent to which rehabilitation efforts can claim credit for this is disputed. Strong correlations between late impairment outcomes and early severity and impairment indices are seen both in adults and children. These correlations have been interpreted by some as evidence that recovery is largely intrinsic and that any additional rehabilitation effects are small. Such views are belied by published animal studies demonstrating the possibility of large rehabilitation effects. Animal models suggest that to achieve similar rehabilitation treatment effect sizes in clinical practice, rehabilitation 'doses' should be greater, rehabilitation efforts should start sooner, and premature accommodation of impairment should be avoided.

A comparison between reported therapy staffing levels and the department of health therapy staffing guidelines for stroke rehabilitation: a national survey

Background

This study compared reported staffing levels for stroke care within UK in-patient stroke units to stroke strategy staffing guidelines published by the UK Department of Health and the Royal College of Physicians. The purpose was to explore the extent to which stroke teams are meeting recommended staffing levels.

Method

The data analyzed in this report consisted of the detailed therapist staffing levels reported in the demographic section of our national survey to determine upper limb treatment in stroke units (the ATRAS survey). A contact list of stroke practitioners was therefore compiled primarily in collaboration with the 28 National Stroke Improvement Networks. Geographic representation of the network areas was obtained by applying the straight-forward systematic sampling method and the N^th name selection technique to each Network list. In total 192 surveys were emailed to stroke care providers around England. This included multiple contacts within stroke teams (e.g. a stroke consultant and a stroke co-coordinator) to increase awareness of the survey.

Results

A total of 53 surveys were returned from stroke teams and represented 20 of the 28 network areas providing 71% national coverage. To compare reported staffing levels to suggested DoH guidelines, analysis was conducted on 19 of the 37 inpatient hospital care units that had no missing data for staff numbers, unit bed numbers, number of stroke patients treated per annum, average unit length-of-stay, and average unit occupancy rates. Only 42% of units analyzed reached the DoH guideline for physiotherapy and fewer than 16% of the units reached the guideline for speech & language therapy. By contrast, 84% of units surveyed reached the staffing guideline for occupational therapy. However, a post-hoc analysis highlights this as an irregularity in the DoH guidelines, revealing that all therapies are challenged to provide the recommended therapy time.

Conclusions

Most in-patient stroke units are operating below the DoH guidelines and are therefore challenged in providing the recommended amount of therapy and patient time to facilitate optimal functional recovery for stroke patients.

Sedentary behaviour and physical activity of people with stroke in rehabilitation hospitals

Background. Sedentary behaviour is associated with health risks, independent of physical activity. This study aimed to investigate patterns of sedentary behaviour and physical activity among stroke survivors in rehabilitation hospitals. Methods. Stroke survivors admitted to four Swedish hospital-based rehabilitation units were recruited ≥7 days since stroke onset and their activity was measured using behavioural mapping. Sedentary behaviour was defined as lying down or sitting supported. Results. 104 patients were observed (53% men). Participants spent an average of 74% (standard deviation, SD 21%) of the observed day in sedentary activities. Continuous sedentary bouts of ≥1 hour represented 44% (SD 32%) of the observed day. A higher proportion (30%, SD 7%) of participants were physically active between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM, compared to the rest of the observed day (23%, SD 6%, P < 0.0005). Patients had higher odds of being physically active in the hall (odds ratio, OR 1.7, P = 0.001) than in the therapy area. Conclusions. The time stroke survivors spend in stroke rehabilitation units may not be used in the most efficient way to promote maximal recovery. Interventions to promote reduced sedentary time could help improve outcome and these should be tested in clinical trials.

The effects of increased dose of exercise-based therapies to enhance motor recovery after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Exercise-based therapy is known to enhance motor recovery after stroke but the most appropriate amount, i.e. the dose, of therapy is unknown. To determine the strength of current evidence for provision of a higher dose of the same types of exercise-based therapy to enhance motor recovery after stroke.

METHODS

An electronic search of: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, AMED, and CENTRAL was undertaken. Two independent reviewers selected studies using predetermined inclusion criteria: randomised or quasi randomised controlled trials with or without blinding of assessors; adults, 18+ years, with a clinical diagnosis of stroke; experimental and control group interventions identical except for dose; exercise-based interventions investigated; and outcome measures of motor impairment, movement control or functional activity. Two reviewers independently extracted outcome and follow-up data. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were interpreted with reference to risk of bias in included studies.

RESULTS

9 papers reporting 7 studies were included. Only 3 of the 7 included studies had all design elements assessed as low risk of bias. Intensity of the control intervention ranged from a mean of 9 to 28 hours over a maximum of 20 weeks. Experimental groups received between 14 and 92 hours of therapy over a maximum of 20 weeks. The included studies were heterogeneous with respect to types of therapy, outcome measures and time-points for outcome and follow-up. Consequently, most effect sizes relate to one study only. Single study effect sizes suggest a trend for better recovery with increased dose at the end of therapy but this trend was less evident at follow-up Meta-analysis was possible at outcome for: hand-grip strength, -10.1 [-19.1,-1.2] (2 studies, 97 participants); Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), 0.1 [-5.7,6.0] (3 studies, 126 participants); and comfortable walking speed, 0.3 [0.1,0.5] (2 studies, 58 participants). At follow-up, between 12 and 26 weeks after start of therapy, meta-analysis findings were: Motricity Arm, 10.7 [1.7,19.8] (2 studies, 83 participants); ARAT, 2.2 [-6.0,10.4] (2 studies, 83 participants); Rivermead Mobility, 1.0 [-0.6, 2.5] (2 studies, 83 participants); and comfortable walking speed, 0.2 [0.0,0.4] (2 studies, 60 participants).

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence provides some, but limited, support for the hypothesis that a higher dose of the same type of exercised-based therapy enhances motor recovery after stroke. Prospective dose-finding studies are required.

The Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2010: ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’: The Future of Occupational Therapy?

The Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture 2010, given on 24 June at the 34th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the College of Occupational Therapists, held at the Brighton Centre, Brighton, Sussex.

European comparison of stroke rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Our understanding of the components of stroke rehabilitation critical to patients' outcomes is limited. Comparing practices and outcomes across countries may give clues to how to improve rehabilitation services.

METHOD

In the CERISE project (Collaborative Evaluation of Rehabilitation in Stroke across Europe), clinical and organisational aspects of stroke rehabilitation were compared among four European rehabilitation centres (United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany). Main findings were summarised and interpreted.

RESULTS

Gross motor and functional recovery were significantly better in the German and Swiss centres compared to the British centre, respectively. Insights in admission criteria, patients' therapy time, content of therapy, and task characteristics of physiotherapists and occupational therapists were in line with the differences in recovery. In Germany, neurorehabilitation is more structured with clearly defined phases, each linked with specific criteria and reimbursement schemes. In Belgium, more variation exists in the rehabilitation trajectories.

CONCLUSION

Stroke rehabilitation services are embedded in health care systems, creating contextual constraints with various (dis)incentives. These constraints vary between countries, resulting in differences in the organisation of stroke rehabilitation. Studies on the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation should incorporate contextual elements of the organisation of the unit.

The 2nd UK Stroke Forum delivers diverse programme of research and information

The 2nd annual UK Stroke Forum was held in Harrogate from 4–6 December 2007, hosted by the Stroke Association. With in excess of 13 00 delegates, it was the largest multidisciplinary stroke conference anywhere in the world.

Motor and Functional Recovery After Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Outcome after first stroke varies significantly across Europe. This study was designed to compare motor and functional recovery after stroke between four European rehabilitation centers.

METHODS

Consecutive stroke patients (532 patients) were recruited. They were assessed on admission and at 2, 4, and 6 months after stroke with the Barthel Index, Rivermead Motor Assessment of Gross Function, Rivermead Motor Assessment of Leg/Trunk, Rivermead Motor Assessment of Arm, and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (except on admission). Data were analyzed using random effects ordinal logistic models adjusting for case-mix and multiple testing.

RESULTS

Patients in the UK center were more likely to stay in lower Rivermead Motor Assessment of Gross Function classes compared with patients in the German center (DeltaOR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.3). In the Swiss center, patients were less likely to stay in lower Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living classes compared with patients in the UK center (DeltaOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5 to 0.9). The latter were less likely to stay in lower Barthel Index classes compared with the patients in the German center (DeltaOR, 0.6; 95%CI, 0.4 to 0.8). Recovery patterns of Rivermead Motor Assessment of Leg/Trunk and Rivermead Motor Assessment of Arm were not significantly different between centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Gross motor and functional recovery were better in the German and Swiss centers compared with the UK center, respectively. Personal self-care recovery was better in the UK compared with the German center. Previous studies in the same centers indicated that German and Swiss patients received more therapy per day. This was not the result of more staff but of a more efficient use of human resources. This study indicates potential for improving rehabilitation outcomes in the UK and Belgian centers.