Does a cycling program combined with education and followed by coaching promote physical activity in subacute stroke patients? A randomized controlled trial

Interventions to Change Movement Behaviors After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to determine which interventions increase physical activity (PA) and decrease sedentary behavior (SB) based on objective measures of movement behavior in individuals with stroke.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO), and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published up to January 3, 2023.

STUDY SELECTION

The StArt 3.0.3 BETA software was used to screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for studies with randomized controlled trial designs; individuals with stroke (≥18 years of age); interventions aimed at increasing PA or decreasing SB; and objective measurement instruments.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data extraction was standardized, considering participants and assessments of interest. The risk of bias and quality of evidence of the included studies were assessed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-eight studies involving 1855 patients were included. Meta-analyses revealed that in the post-stroke acute/subacute phase, exercise interventions combined with behavior change techniques (BCTs) increased both daily steps (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.65, P=.0002) and time spent on moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activities (MVPAs) duration of PA (SMD=0.68, P=.0004) with moderate-quality evidence. In addition, interventions based only on BCTs increased PA levels with very low-quality evidence (SMD (low-intensity physical activity)=0.36, P=.02; SMD (MVPA)=0.56, P=.0004) and decreased SB with low-quality evidence (SMD=0.48, P=.03). In the post-stroke chronic phase, there is statistical significance in favor of exercise-only interventions in PA frequency (steps/day) with moderate-quality evidence (SMD=0.68, P=.002). In general, the risk of bias in the included studies was low.

CONCLUSIONS

In the acute/subacute phase after stroke, the use of BCTs combined with exercise can increase the number of daily steps and time spent on MVPA. In contrast, in the post-stroke chronic phase, exercise-only interventions resulted in a significant increase in daily steps.

Non-therapeutic strategies to promote physical activity of stroke survivors in hospital settings: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically summarize the evidence of strategies other than therapy to promote physical activity in hospital settings.

METHODS

Studies testing the various strategies to promote the physical activity of stroke survivors in different hospital settings, including stroke units, hospitals and rehabilitation centres were included. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted data, and assessed the study quality. Quality assessments were performed using standardized checklists. Data synthesis was done from the selected articles and results were reported.

RESULTS

Of the 3396 records retrieved from database searches, 12 studies (n = 529 participants) were included. All the studies were of moderate to good quality. The strategies were grouped into five categories: i) physical environment, ii) device-based feedback, iii) self-management approaches, iv) family presence, and v) education. Physical environmental and device-based feedback were the most common strategies to promote physical activity after a stroke in a hospital setting. Strategies such as family presence and education improved physical activity levels, whereas device-based feedback showed mixed results.

CONCLUSION

Despite the importance of physical activity in early stroke, there is limited literature present to enhance activity levels. Physical environment and device-based feedback were the two most common strategies used in acute stroke survivors. The impact of these strategies remain suboptimal to be considered as effective intervention methods to enhance physical activity.

Exercise prescription, intervention, dissemination, and implementation following transient ischemic attack or stroke: advancing the field through interdisciplinary science

Research has demonstrated that both exercise, and a reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (i.e., high blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure), following a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) are beneficial for reducing risk of recurrent stroke or TIA and for improving overall quality of life. Despite this evidence, many stroke and TIA survivors remain inactive and sedentary and present with multiple CVD risk factors. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight gaps in the current literature in regard to exercise and behavior interventions for the stroke and TIA populations, present ideas for intervention design, and discuss the dissemination and implementation of research findings. The future research ideas presented in this commentary are based on current research findings, as well as the professional experience of the article authors. Professional experience spans occupational therapy in neurorehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology in rehabilitation, creation and implementation of stroke rehabilitation clinics, stroke and TIA research, and behavioral and implementation science.

Interventions to Improve Social Participation, Work, and Leisure Among Adults Poststroke: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Sustaining a stroke frequently leads to difficulties in returning to work, leisure, and social participation. These outcomes are important for occupational therapy practitioners to address.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to improve social participation, work, and leisure among adults poststroke.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTseeker, and Cochrane databases.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION

Primary inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, within the scope of occupational therapy that evaluated an intervention to address work, leisure, or social participation poststroke (levels of evidence ranged from Level 1b to Level 2b). Reviewers assessed records for inclusion, quality, and validity following Cochrane Collaboration and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

FINDINGS

Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Forty-four articles related to social participation were categorized as follows: occupation-based approaches, metacognitive strategy training, education and training approaches, impairment-based approaches, and enriched environment approaches. Three articles related to work and 3 articles related to leisure were not further categorized (2 articles were each included in two categories). Seventeen Level 1b and 30 Level 2b articles were included. The strength of evidence to support occupational therapy interventions for social participation, work, and leisure outcomes is predominantly low.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Occupational therapy interventions may improve work, leisure, and social participation outcomes poststroke, with the strongest evidence existing for client education, upper extremity training, and cognitive training for improving social participation. What This Article Adds: Occupational therapy practitioners may use the available literature along with clinical reasoning to improve work, leisure, and social participation outcomes among clients poststroke. Additional research is required to build stronger evidence to support clinical decision making in stroke rehabilitation in these areas.

Interventions to Improve Work and Leisure for Adults Poststroke (January 1, 2009-December 31, 2019)

Systematic Review Briefs provide a summary of the findings from systematic reviews developed in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-Based Practice Program. Each Systematic Review Brief summarizes the evidence on a theme related to a systematic review topic. This Systematic Review Brief presents findings from the systematic review on interventions to improve work and leisure for adults poststroke.

Interventions for reducing sedentary behaviour in people with stroke

BACKGROUND

Stroke survivors are often physically inactive as well as sedentary,and may sit for long periods of time each day. This increases cardiometabolic risk and has impacts on physical and other functions. Interventions to reduce or interrupt periods of sedentary time, as well as to increase physical activity after stroke, could reduce the risk of secondary cardiovascular events and mortality during life after stroke.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour after stroke, or interventions with the potential to do so, can reduce the risk of death or secondary vascular events, modify cardiovascular risk, and reduce sedentary behaviour.

SEARCH METHODS

In December 2019, we searched the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Conference Proceedings Citation Index, and PEDro. We also searched registers of ongoing trials, screened reference lists, and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing interventions to reduce sedentary time with usual care, no intervention, or waiting-list control, attention control, sham intervention or adjunct intervention. We also included interventions intended to fragment or interrupt periods of sedentary behaviour.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies and performed 'Risk of bias' assessments. We analyzed data using random-effects meta-analyses and assessed the certainty of the evidence with the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 10 studies with 753 people with stroke. Five studies used physical activity interventions, four studies used a multicomponent lifestyle intervention, and one study used an intervention to reduce and interrupt sedentary behaviour. In all studies, the risk of bias was high or unclear in two or more domains. Nine studies had high risk of bias in at least one domain. The interventions did not increase or reduce deaths (risk difference (RD) 0.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.02 to 0.03; 10 studies, 753 participants; low-certainty evidence), the incidence of recurrent cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.01; 10 studies, 753 participants; low-certainty evidence), the incidence of falls (and injuries) (RD 0.00, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.02; 10 studies, 753 participants; low-certainty evidence), or incidence of other adverse events (moderate-certainty evidence). Interventions did not increase or reduce the amount of sedentary behaviour time (mean difference (MD) +0.13 hours/day, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.68; 7 studies, 300 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There were too few data to examine effects on patterns of sedentary behaviour. The effect of interventions on cardiometabolic risk factors allowed very limited meta-analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Sedentary behaviour research in stroke seems important, yet the evidence is currently incomplete, and we found no evidence for beneficial effects. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend reducing the amount of sedentary time in people with disabilities, in general. The evidence is currently not strong enough to guide practice on how best to reduce sedentariness specifically in people with stroke. More high-quality randomised trials are needed, particularly involving participants with mobility limitations. Trials should include longer-term interventions specifically targeted at reducing time spent sedentary, risk factor outcomes, objective measures of sedentary behaviour (and physical activity), and long-term follow-up.

Physical fitness training for stroke patients

BACKGROUND

Levels of physical activity and physical fitness are low after stroke. Interventions to increase physical fitness could reduce mortality and reduce disability through increased function.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this updated review were to determine whether fitness training after stroke reduces death, death or dependence, and disability. The secondary objectives were to determine the effects of training on adverse events, risk factors, physical fitness, mobility, physical function, health status and quality of life, mood, and cognitive function.

SEARCH METHODS

In July 2018 we searched the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and four additional databases. We also searched ongoing trials registers and conference proceedings, screened reference lists, and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing either cardiorespiratory training or resistance training, or both (mixed training), with usual care, no intervention, or a non-exercise intervention in stroke survivors.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed quality and risk of bias, and extracted data. We analysed data using random-effects meta-analyses and assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Diverse outcome measures limited the intended analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 75 studies, involving 3017 mostly ambulatory participants, which comprised cardiorespiratory (32 studies, 1631 participants), resistance (20 studies, 779 participants), and mixed training interventions (23 studies, 1207 participants). Death was not influenced by any intervention; risk differences were all 0.00 (low-certainty evidence). There were few deaths overall (19/3017 at end of intervention and 19/1469 at end of follow-up). None of the studies assessed death or dependence as a composite outcome. Disability scores were improved at end of intervention by cardiorespiratory training (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.52, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.84; 8 studies, 462 participants; P = 0.002; moderate-certainty evidence) and mixed training (SMD 0.23, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42; 9 studies, 604 participants; P = 0.02; low-certainty evidence). There were too few data to assess the effects of resistance training on disability. Secondary outcomes showed multiple benefits for physical fitness (VO2 peak and strength), mobility (walking speed) and physical function (balance). These physical effects tended to be intervention-specific with the evidence mostly low or moderate certainty. Risk factor data were limited or showed no effects apart from cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak), which increased after cardiorespiratory training (mean difference (MD) 3.40 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 2.98 to 3.83; 9 studies, 438 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of any serious adverse events. Lack of data prevents conclusions about effects of training on mood, quality of life, and cognition. Lack of data also meant benefits at follow-up (i.e. after training had stopped) were unclear but some mobility benefits did persist. Risk of bias varied across studies but imbalanced amounts of exposure in control and intervention groups was a common issue affecting many comparisons.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Few deaths overall suggest exercise is a safe intervention but means we cannot determine whether exercise reduces mortality or the chance of death or dependency. Cardiorespiratory training and, to a lesser extent mixed training, reduce disability during or after usual stroke care; this could be mediated by improved mobility and balance. There is sufficient evidence to incorporate cardiorespiratory and mixed training, involving walking, within post-stroke rehabilitation programmes to improve fitness, balance and the speed and capacity of walking. The magnitude of VO2 peak increase after cardiorespiratory training has been suggested to reduce risk of stroke hospitalisation by ˜7%. Cognitive function is under-investigated despite being a key outcome of interest for patients. Further well-designed randomised trials are needed to determine the optimal exercise prescription, the range of benefits and any long-term benefits.

Efficacy of interventions aimed at improving physical activity in individuals with stroke: a systematic review

Purpose: To identify interventions employed to increase post-stroke physical activity, evaluate their efficacy, and identify the gaps in literature.Materials and methods: Randomized controlled trials published until March 2018 were searched in MEDLINE, PEDro, EMBASE, LILACS, and SCIELO databases. The quality of each study and overall quality of evidence were assessed using the PEDro and the GRADE scales.Results: Eighteen studies were included (good PEDro and very low GRADE-scores). In seven, the experimental groups showed significant increases in physical activity (aerobics, resistance, and home-based training; counseling, aerobics, resistance, and home-based training; electrical stimulation during walking; functional-task training; robot-assisted arm therapy; accelerometer-based feedback, and physical activity encouragement). In seven, there were no significant between-group differences (physical activity plan; stretching, use of toe-spreaders, standard treatment; counseling; circuit video-game; functional-task; counseling and cognitive training). The combined experimental and control groups showed significant declines in physical activity in one study (aerobic training or stretching) and increases in three others (aerobic, resistance or sham resistance training; stroke-with advice or only stroke-counseling; aerobic training, educational sessions, standard treatment, and coaching, or mobilization and standard treatment). A meta-analysis could not be performed, due to heterogeneity.Conclusions: Some interventions improved physical activity after stroke. However, the interpretability is limited.Implications for rehabilitationIndividuals with stroke show low physical activity, which may compromise function and health.The use of interventions aimed at improving and maintaining physical activity of individuals with stroke are recommended.Some interventions, such as aerobic, resistance, and combined home-based training, electrical stimulation during walking, functional task training, and arm robot-assisted therapy, could improve the physical activity after stroke.

Strength training protocols in hemiparetic individuals post stroke: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction: Hemiparesis is one of the main sequels of stroke. Evidence suggests that muscle strength exercises are important in rehabilitation programs for hemiparetic patients, but wide variation in previously studied protocols makes the most suitable choice difficult in clinical practice. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate strength training protocols for people with hemiparesis after stroke. Methods: A systematic review of literature was performed in the PubMed, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Science) databases. Only controlled clinical studies that contained strength training protocols for hemiparesis after stroke were selected. Results: In total, 562 articles were found. Of them, 12 were accepted for the systematic review. Although strength training protocols are effective in hemiparetic patients, we did not found a standard method for strength training. Conclusion: This systematic revision highlights the lack of a standard protocol for strength training, considering the following training parameters: volume, intensity, frequency, series, and repetitions. Isotonic exercises are most commonly used.