Secondary Prevention by Structured Semi-Interactive Stroke Prevention Package in India (SPRINT INDIA) study protocol

Telehealth as a Strategy for Health Equity: A Scoping Review of Telehealth in India During and Following the COVID-19 Pandemic for People with Disabilities

Introduction: Telehealth in India is growing rapidly and represents a strategy to promote affordable, inclusive, timely and safe access to healthcare. Yet there is a risk that telehealth increases inequity due to the digital divide and existing poor health literacy. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to explore use of telehealth in India during and following the COVID-19 pandemic by people with disabilities to inform strategies to increase equity of telehealth for people with disabilities. Of 1966 studies from the initial search in four databases and three specific telehealth journals, 20 sources met the inclusion criteria, limited to a focus on physical disability in India. Results: Findings showed examples of how people with disabilities can exercise increased control in the timing of appointments, convenience of receiving services from home and not having to travel to clinics or hospitals, and platform preference through tools and applications already familiar to them. Carers and families of people with disabilities were described as highly valued stakeholders with important roles in the uptake and effectiveness of telehealth for people with disabilities. The identified benefits of telehealth resulted in high levels of user satisfaction due to increased control and convenience, however, systemic barriers for accessibility remain. Conclusion: This review suggested that if telehealth is not designed intentionally to change the status quo for people with disabilities and prioritize equity, then the benefits may not be sustainable. Recommendations for telehealth India are provided, based on both findings from the literature and analysis of results.

Secondary prevention by structured semi-interactive stroke prevention package in INDIA (SPRINT INDIA): Findings from the process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Secondary Prevention by Structured Semi-Interactive Stroke Prevention Package in INDIA Trial delivered secondary stroke awareness intervention to sub-acute stroke patients in form of workbook, videos and SMS across 31 centres in 12 languages. Trial was stopped for futility due to fewer vascular outcomes than anticipated. Trial results indicated that trial intervention, did not lead to reduction in vascular events. We carried out process evaluation, to evaluate trial implementation and participant's perspectives, to comprehend the trial's futile outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using mixed methods approach, qualitative interviews and quantitative data from case report forms, workbooks and questionnaires were analysed to measure intervention fidelity and contamination. Using purposive sampling, 115 interviews of patient-caregiver dyads and health professionals at 11 centres and 2 focus group discussions were held.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Iterative thematic analysis of qualitative data was done with RE-AIM and realist models. There was good fidelity to intervention and adherence to protocol; however, there was dilution of inclusion criteria by randomly enrolling uneducated and caregiver-dependent patients. Centre coordinators provided counselling to both arms, not specified by protocol, causing bias. Coordinators found it difficult to keep patients motivated to view intervention which was corroborated by fidelity questionnaire showing decreased viewing of intervention for a year. Cardiovascular protection improved in routine care by virtue of participating in trial. No contamination of intervention was reported.

CONCLUSION

The intervention was acceptable by patients and caregivers, which could be made a community-based programme. Reasons identified for decreased viewing were repetitive content and non-availability of personal cellular device.

Stroke systems of care in South-East Asia Region (SEAR): commonalities and diversities

The Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) accounts for nearly 50% of the developing world's stroke burden. With various commonalities across its countries concerning health services, user awareness, and healthcare-seeking behavior, SEAR still presents profound diversities in stroke-related services across the continuum of care. This review highlights the numerous systems and challenges in access to stroke care, acute stroke care services, and health care systems, including rehabilitation. The paper has also attempted to compile information on the availability of stroke specialized centers, Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) ready centers, Endovascular therapy (EVT) ready centers, rehabilitation centers, and workforce against a backdrop of each country's population. Lastly, the efforts of WHO (SEARO)-CMCL (World Health Organization-South East Asia region, Christian Medical College & Hospital Ludhiana) collaboration towards improving stroke services and capacity among the SEAR have been described.

Secondary prevention with a structured semi-interactive stroke prevention package in INDIA (SPRINT INDIA): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

There is a high burden of stroke, including recurrent stroke, in India. We aimed to assess the effect of a structured semi-interactive stroke prevention package in patients with subacute stroke to reduce recurrent strokes, myocardial infarction, and death.

METHODS

This was a multicentre, randomised, clinical trial conducted in 31 centres of the Indian Stroke Clinical Trial Network (INSTRuCT). Adult patients with first stroke and access to a mobile cellular device were randomly allocated (1:1) to intervention and control groups by the research coordinators at each centre using a central, in-house, web-based randomisation system. The participants and research coordinators at each centre were not masked to group assignment. The intervention group received regular short SMS messages and videos that promoted risk factor control and medication adherence and an educational workbook, in one of 12 languages, and the control group received standard care. The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent stroke, high-risk transient ischaemic attack, acute coronary syndrome, and death at 1 year. The outcome and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03228979 and Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2017/09/009600) and was stopped for futility after interim analysis.

FINDINGS

Between April 28, 2018, and Nov 30, 2021, 5640 patients were assessed for eligibility. 4298 patients were randomised to the intervention group (n=2148) or control group (n=2150). 620 patients were not followed up at 6 months and a further 595 patients were not followed up at 1 year because the trial was stopped for futility after interim analysis. 45 patients were lost to follow-up before 1 year. Acknowledgment of receipt of the SMS messages and videos by the intervention group patients was low (17%). The primary outcome occurred in 119 (5·5%) of 2148 patients in the intervention group and 106 (4·9%) of 2150 patients in the control group (adjusted odds ratio 1·12; 95% CI 0·85-1·47; p=0·370). Among the secondary outcome measures, alcohol cessation and smoking cessation were higher in the intervention group than in the control group (alcohol cessation 231 [85%] of 272 in the intervention group vs 255 [78%] of 326 in the control group; p=0·036; smoking cessation 202 [83%] vs 206 [75%]; p=0·035). Medication compliance was better in the intervention group than in the control group (1406 [93·6%] of 1502 vs 1379 [89·8%] of 1536; p<0·001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other secondary outcome measures at 1 year: blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dL), and triglycerides (mg/dL), BMI, modified Rankin Scale, and physical activity.

INTERPRETATION

A structured semi-interactive stroke prevention package did not reduce vascular events when compared with standard care. However, there was an improvement in some lifestyle behavioural factors, including adherence to medication, which might have long-term benefits. There was a possibility of type 2 error owing to reduced power since there were fewer events and a high number of patients could not be followed up.

FUNDING

Indian Council of Medical Research.

INSTRuCT: Protocol, Infrastructure, and Governance

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Very few large scale multicentric stroke clinical trials have been done in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research funded INSTRuCT (Indian Stroke Clinical Trial Network) as a task force project with the objectives to establish a state-of-the-art stroke clinical trial network and to conduct pharmacological and nonpharmacological stroke clinical trials relevant to the nation and globally. The purpose of the article is to enumerate the structure of multicentric stroke network, with emphasis on its scope, challenges and expectations in India.

METHODS

Multiple expert group meetings were conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research to understand the scope of network to perform stroke clinical trials in the country. Established stroke centers with annual volume of 200 patients with stroke with prior experience of conducting clinical trials were included. Central coordinating center, standard operating procedures, data and safety monitoring board were formed.

DISCUSSION

In first phase, 2 trials were initiated namely, SPRINT (Secondary Prevention by Structured Semi-Interactive Stroke Prevention Package in India) and Ayurveda treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with ischemic stroke in India (RESTORE [Rehabilitation of Ischemic stroke Patients in India: A Randomized controlled trial]). In second phase, 4 trials have been approved. SPRINT trial was the first to be initiated. SPRINT trial randomized first patient on April 28, 2018; recruited 3048 patients with an average of 128.5 per month so far. The first follow-up was completed on May 27, 2019. RESTORE trial randomized first patient on May 22, 2019; recruited 49 patients with an average of 3.7 per month so far. The first follow-up was completed on August 30, 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

In next 5 years, INSTRuCT will be able to complete high-quality large scale stroke trials which are relevant globally.

REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.ctri.nic.in/; Unique Identifier: CTRI/2017/05/008507.

Multicomponent Short-Term Training of ASHAs for Stroke Risk Factor Management in Rural India

Background Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years and may be the leading cause of death in rural regions in India. We aim to train the ASHAs (Accredited Social Health activist) for nonpharmacological management of risk factors for secondary stroke prevention in rural India. We tested the hypothesis that focused, multicomponent, short-term training on secondary prevention of stroke enhances the knowledge of ASHAs about risk factor management.

Objectives To test the hypothesis that focused, multicomponent, short-term training on secondary prevention of stroke enhances the knowledge of ASHAs about risk factor management.

Materials and Methods This study is part of the ASSIST trial (Training ASHA to Assist in Secondary Stroke Prevention in Rural Population). The study design is quasi-experimental (pretest and posttest). Culturally appropriate and pragmatic training material was developed by the study team. Three focused group training sessions were conducted in Sidhwan Bet and Pakhowal blocks of Ludhiana district, Punjab.

Results A total of 274 ASHAs from 164 villages with mean ± SD age of 39.5 ± 7.6 years participated in the three training sessions. The perceived knowledge of stroke risk factors and blood pressure assessment was 67.5 ± 18.3% and 84.4 ± 16.7%, respectively. The objective baseline knowledge about stroke prevention and management among ASHAs was lower 58.7 ± 19.7% compared with perceived knowledge ( p = 0.04). This increased to 82.5 ± 16.36% ( p < 0.001) after the mop-up training after a mean of 191 days. More than 30% increment was seen in knowledge about the stroke symptoms (35.9%, p < 0.001), avoiding opium after stroke for treatment (39.5%, p < 0.001), causes of stroke (53.3%, p < 0.001), modifiable risk factors for stroke (45.4%, p < 0.001), and lifestyle modifications for stroke prevention (42.1%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions Focused group training can help enhance the knowledge of ASHAs about stroke prevention and management. ASHAs are also able to retain this complex multicomponent knowledge over a 6-month period. ASHA may be able to partake in reducing the secondary stroke burden in rural India.