Promoting psychosocial well-being following stroke: study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial

Electroacupuncture regulates histone acetylation of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 genes to improve ischemic stroke injury

Background

Imbalances between Bcl-2 and caspase-3 are significant evidence of apoptosis, which is considered an influential factor in rapidly occurring neuronal cell death and the decline of neurological function after stroke. Studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce poststroke brain cell damage via either an increase in Bcl-2 or a reduction in caspase-3 exposure. The current study aimed to investigate whether acupuncture could modulate Bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression through histone acetylation modifications, which could potentially serve as a neuroprotective mechanism.

Methods

This study used TTC staining, Nissl staining, Clark neurological system score, and Evans Blue (EB) extravasation to evaluate neurological damage following stroke. The expression of Bcl-2/caspase-3 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantification of PCR (real-time PCR), whereas the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 were assessed using western blotting. TUNEL staining of the ischemic cortical neurons determined apoptosis in the ischemic cortex. Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities, along with the protein performance of AceH3, H3K9ace, and H3K27ace, were detected to evaluate the degree of histone acetylation. The acetylation enrichment levels of H3K9 and K3K27 in the Bcl-2/caspase-3 gene were assessed using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay.

Results

Our data demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) exerts a significant neuroprotective effect in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats, as evidenced by a reduction in infarct volume, neuronal damage, Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) disruption, and decreased apoptosis of ischemic cortical neurons. EA treatment can promote the mRNA and protein expression of the Bcl-2 gene in the ischemic brain while reducing the mRNA and protein expression levels of caspase-3 and effectively decreasing the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. More importantly, EA treatment enhanced the level of histone acetylation, including Ace-H3, H3K9ace, and H3K27ace, significantly enhanced the occupancy of H3K9ace/H3K27ace at the Bcl-2 promoter, and reduced the enrichment of H3K9ace and H3K27ace at the caspase-3 promoter. However, the Histone Acetyltransferase inhibitor (HATi) treatment reversed these effects.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that EA mediated the expression levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in MCAO rats by regulating the occupancy of acetylated H3K9/H3K27 at the promoters of these two genes, thus exerting a cerebral protective effect in ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Interventions for improving psychosocial well-being after stroke: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Up to one third of all stroke patients suffer from one or more psychosocial impairments. Recognition and treatment of these impairments are essential in improving psychosocial well-being after stroke. Although nurses are ideally positioned to address psychosocial well-being, they often feel insecure about providing the needed psychosocial care. Therefore, we expect that providing nurses with better knowledge to deliver this care could lead to an improvement in psychosocial well-being after stroke. Currently it is not known which interventions are effective and what aspects of these interventions are most effective to improve psychosocial well-being after stroke.

OBJECTIVE

To identify potentially effective interventions - and intervention components - which can be delivered by nurses to improve patients' psychosocial well-being after stroke.

METHODS

A systematic review and data synthesis of randomized controlled trials and quasi experimental studies was conducted. Papers were included according to the following criteria: 1) before-after design, 2) all types of stroke patients, 3) interventions that can be delivered by nurses, 4) the primary outcome(s) were psychosocial. PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Cochrane library were searched (August 2019-April 2022). Articles were selected based on title, abstract, full text and quality. Quality was assessed by using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and a standardized data extraction form developed by Joanna Brigss Institute was used to extract the data.

RESULTS

In total 60 studies were included, of which 52 randomized controlled trials, three non-randomized controlled trials, four quasi-experimental studies, and one randomized cross-over study. Nineteen studies had a clear psychosocial content, twenty-nine a partly psychosocial content, and twelve no psychosocial content. Thirty-nine interventions that showed positive effects on psychosocial well-being after stroke were identified. Effective intervention topics were found to be mood, recovery, coping, emotions, consequences/problems after stroke, values and needs, risk factors and secondary prevention, self-management, and medication management. Active information and physical exercise were identified as effective methods of delivery.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest that interventions to improve psychosocial well-being should include the intervention topics and methods of delivery that were identified as effective. Since effectiveness of the intervention can depend on the interaction of intervention components, these interactions should be studied. Nurses and patients should be involved in the development of such interventions to ensure it can be used by nurses and will help improve patients' psychosocial well-being.

FUNDING AND REGISTRATION

This study was supported by the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (RAAK.PUB04.010). This review was not registered.

The HEADS: UP Development Study: Working with Key Stakeholders to Adapt a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course for People with Anxiety and Depression after Stroke

BACKGROUND

Following stroke, rates of mood disorder are and remain high at five years (anxiety 34.4%; depression 23%). Structured mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) courses are effective in a range of health conditions, but stroke survivors find adherence challenging. We aimed to adapt a standard MBSR course specifically for people affected by stroke.

METHODS

We recruited stroke survivors and family members with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression to take part in a co-development study comprising two rounds of MBSR 'taster' sessions, followed by focus groups in which views were sought on the practices sampled. Data were collected in October 2017 and May 2018 and were analysed using framework analysis, informed adaptations to mindfulness materials and delivery.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight stroke survivors and seven family members participated. Nineteen (76%) stroke survivors had anxiety; 15 (60%) had depression. Five (71.4%) family members reported anxiety; n = 4 (57.1%) depression. Thirty participants attended the first round of taster sessions and focus groups; twenty (66%) the second and three (10%) were unable to attend either round. Framework analysis informed adaptations to course delivery, practices, and materials, ultimately resulting in a stroke-specific MBSR course, HEADS: UP (Helping Ease Anxiety and Depression after Stroke).

CONCLUSIONS

HEADS: UP may provide a feasible, appropriate, and meaningful self-management intervention to help alleviate symptoms of mood disorder.

Perceived study-induced influence on the control group in a randomized controlled trial evaluating a complex intervention to promote psychosocial well-being after stroke: a process evaluation

BACKGROUND

A commonly applied control condition in trials evaluating complex interventions in rehabilitation research is "usual care." The main challenge is to ensure that the control group receives genuine usual care as delivered in everyday clinical practice. The assessment interviews and dialogues with the data collectors may influence the control group participants' reflections on their condition and adjustments. This represents a threat to the internal validity of the trial. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the perceived study-induced influence of assessment interviews on the adjustment of the members of a control group in a randomized clinical trial. The aim of the trial was to test a dialogue-based psychosocial intervention aiming at promoting the psychosocial well-being and adjustment of stroke survivors.

METHODS

Fifteen participants in the control group of a multicenter stroke rehabilitation trial participated in narrative semi-structured interviews. Ricoeur's interpretation theory guided the analysis.

RESULTS

The perceived study-induced influence of the assessment interviews on the adjustment process of members of the control group varied considerably. The results demonstrated that the assessment interviews facilitated some participants' feelings of control and their ability to cope. Other participants' statements indicate that they relied on their existing personal capacity to cope and adjust and that the assessment interviews did not make any difference either on their coping ability or on their process of adjustment. Five themes were identified that described the perceived study-induced influence of the assessment interviews in the control group. The themes illustrated that the assessments served as a safety net, enhanced awareness and understanding, encouraged seeking support, allowed the opportunity to vent disappointment, or did not make any difference either way.

CONCLUSIONS

RCT assessment interviews may influence the adjustment process and represent a serious problem in measuring interventions over time in trials of complex interventions in rehabilitation research. To uphold rigor and stringency, the usual care control conditions should be thoroughly assessed and described. Informing participants only about the treatment they were allocated to receive might counteract the potential to dilute the difference between the two arms of the trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02338869. Registered on October 4, 2014.

Nurses' and occupational therapists' experiences of conducting a home-based psychosocial intervention following stroke: a qualitative process evaluation

Background

Persons with stroke are susceptible to psychosocial problems, and express disappointment at how health care professionals fail to meet their psychosocial needs following discharge to home. The responsibility of nurses and occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation is to assist the persons and their families during the recovery and adjustment process. A home-based dialogical intervention aiming to enhance psychosocial support was therefore developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial. This study is a part of the process evaluation conducted alongside the trial. The aim was to explore the nurses’ and occupational therapists’ experiences of conducting the intervention.

Methods

Eighteen nurses and four occupational therapists participated in six focus groups to explore their experiences when providing the intervention. The themes discussed in the focus groups were the aspects that facilitated the delivering of the intervention and the challenges they encountered during the study period. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The analysis generated two themes. The theme Developing a supportive relationship to facilitate the adjustment process following stroke had two subthemes: Getting personally involved and Handling challenges. This theme reveals how the nurses and occupational therapists experienced their relationship with the persons with stroke and potential threats which challenged them while conducting the intervention. The theme Developing professional skills in providing psychosocial support had two subthemes: Becoming confident in conducting dialogues and Integrating psychosocial topics. This theme reveals the aspects that the nurses and occupational therapists perceived as facilitating the development of their professional skills in conducting the dialogues.

Conclusion

Delivering the psychosocial intervention was perceived as deeply meaningful and increased the nurses’ and occupational therapists’ understanding of how to support stroke survivors to live with the consequences of stroke. However, balancing the professional and the personal relationship was challenging. A basic educational programme, training, supervision and having dedicated time were crucial elements to instil confidence in professionals conducting theme-based dialogues to promote post-stroke psychosocial well-being. Individual clinical experience and knowledge of stroke care were considering important to enable professionals to integrate psychosocial rehabilitation into community health care.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 02338869, registered 10/04/2014.

Examining components of community psychosocial stroke interventions using concept mapping

BACKGROUND

Stroke impacts psychosocial well-being and engagement in occupation. Psychosocial interventions reduce depression and anxiety but may not impact occupation. Knowledge of key processes and components of community psychosocial stroke interventions can inform future intervention development.

AIM/OBJECTIVE(S)

To determine the essential elements common to three psychosocial interventions for stroke survivors.

MATERIAL(S) AND METHOD(S)

Concept maps were created for three community psychosocial stroke interventions based on published literature and communication with researchers who tested the intervention with stroke survivors. The concept maps were then compared to identify common elements. Ongoing communication with researchers ensured accurate representation of each respective intervention.

RESULTS

Similarities in intervention processes and components included support for autonomy; individualized information exchange; coping, life skill development and adaptation support; competence development; and the incorporation of goals. Differences included intervention delivery (individual versus group), and the avenues in which psychosocial needs are addressed (occupation versus dialogue).

CONCLUSIONS

Concept mapping identified similarities among the three interventions that can be best understood using self-determination theory. Clinicians may utilize findings revealed in the process to inform evidence-based psychosocial stroke interventions.

SIGNIFICANCE

Knowledge of key 'active ingredients' for psychosocial community stroke interventions, can be used to guide clinical reasoning and inform development of interventions.

A prediction model of health-related quality of life in young adult patients with stroke

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to establish and test a predictive model for explaining the health-related quality of life of young adult patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND

Individual characteristics, biological and physiological variables, social support, emotional and cognitive symptoms, physical function disability and general health perception may be interrelated and may directly or indirectly affect the health-related quality of life of young adult patients with stroke.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

237 young outpatients with stroke were recruited and surveyed. Data collection used a structured questionnaire from July-November 2018. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0^® and AMOS 23.0. This study is based on STROBE guidelines.

RESULTS

The hypothetical model's fit indices were adequate. Stroke severity, social support, fear of stroke recurrence, physical function disability and general health perceptions directly affected the health-related quality of life. Additionally, stroke severity, depression and fear of stroke recurrence also indirectly affected it. These variables explained 60.3% of the variance in this quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Variables such as severity of stroke, depression, fear of stroke recurrence, social support, physical function disability and general health perception were found to be related to the HRQoL of young adult patients with stroke.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

A variety of physical, psychological, functional and social factors related to health-related quality of life should be systematically monitored. Furthermore, nurses need to develop and apply detailed nursing interventions that take into account all these variables.

Body Cathexis among Stroke Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background  Stroke results in functional dependence and poor quality of life. Body cathexis is a measure of one’s perceived body image. Stroke survivors often experience stress, anxiety, and disturbances in body image.

Objectives  The objective of the study was to explore the body cathexis of stroke survivors.

Materials and Methods  The cross-sectional survey was conducted at two rural community settings of Kozhikode district, Kerala. Using a purposive sampling, 151 stroke survivors were recruited.

Results  The mean age of the participants was 64.58 years. About 53.6% participants were males and majority of the participants had ischemic stroke (76.2%). About one-third of participants had moderately severe disability. Among the participants, the body cathexis scale (BCS) ranged from 176 to 202. The overall mean (standard deviation) BCS score was 190.09 (5.04). Satisfaction or dissatisfaction toward each body part was analyzed and found that significant areas of dissatisfaction were energy level (98%), wrist (88.1%), elimination (86.1%), fingers (76.2%), and arms (73.5%). The BCS scores compared with the sides of lesion, gender differences, and duration of stroke showed no significant differences in the mean (p>0.05).

Conclusions  Stroke survivors are found to experience disturbances in body image. Low energy level, poor functioning of upper extremities, and disturbed elimination patterns add primarily to body image disturbances. Body cathexis does not differ with side of lesion, gender differences, and duration of stroke.

Does COVID-19 Impact Less on Post-stroke Aphasia? This Is Not the Case

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected people’s mental health resulting in severe psychological consequences. One of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide is aphasia. The language changes experienced by a person with aphasia (PWA) often have a sudden and long-lasting negative impact on social interaction, quality of life, and emotional wellbeing. The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the different psychosocial dimensions which affect PWA.

Methods

This retrospective study included 73 PWA and 81 elderly matched controls. All patients were in the chronic phase. They were all discharged from rehabilitation services, which left them with different degrees of language deficits (i.e., severe vs. mild vs. moderate). All participants were administered the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) through an online survey. PWA also took part in the stroke and aphasia quality of life scale questionnaire (SAQOL-39).

Results

Although the comparison between two different time points [one month before (T0) and one month after the lockdown (T1)] led to a significant increase in depression and anxiety symptoms in both groups (PWA vs. control), lower rates of depression and anxiety were found in PWA compared to the healthy group. Significant deterioration was also present in PWA in the communication and psychosocial scales of the SAQOL-39 test, which correlated with the observed changes in the psychological domains. Interestingly, the results were not significantly influenced by the degree of aphasia severity. Similarly, in both groups, none of the demographic variables (gender, age, and educational level) significantly affected the scores in the different subscales.

Conclusions

This evidence which, at first glance, seems to suggest that PWA have been partially spared from the impact of COVID-19, actually masks a dramatic situation that has always characterized this population. Indeed, given that PWA already live in a state of social isolation and emotional instability, these conditions might have, paradoxically, limited the effects of the coronavirus. However, as our results showed a deterioration in the emotional state and communication skills of our patients, possible solutions are discussed in order to prevent further decline of their cognitive abilities.

Protocol for a systematic review on tertiary prevention interventions for patients with stroke in African countries

INTRODUCTION

Stroke is one of the common causes of mortality, morbidity and years of life lost worldwide. Baseline research on stroke epidemiology, prevention, acute and rehabilitative interventions in Africa is necessary to approach specific contexts and regional circumstances. Most studies on stroke have been conducted in high-income countries. This protocol describes the methodology to summarise the best available evidence on tertiary preventive strategies like rehabilitation interventions for patients with stroke in African contexts.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will include experimental studies and prospective cohort studies conducted in African countries. A protocol has been registered in PROSPERO. Systematic search will include eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Cab-Direct, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), African Journals Online and African Index Medicus) and the International Clinical Trials Register Platform and base on predefined search terms. We will search from inception of each database and repeat this strategy 3 months prior to review submission. Details of all eligible studies will be extracted and risk of bias for outcomes on global disability or dependence in daily living will be assessed. Main aim of this systematic review is to provide a narrative description of evidence on tertiary prevention strategies (including rehabilitation) for stroke. This description will be visualised in structured tables to aid interpretation of study characteristics, intervention effects and certainty of the evidence.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is necessary. Results will be presented in national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020159125.

Reminiscence therapy-based care program relieves post-stroke cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in acute ischemic stroke patients: a randomized, controlled study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive and mental impairments are common health problems in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the benefit of a reminiscence therapy-based care (RTBC) program on cognitive impairment restoration, anxiety, and depression reduction in AIS patients.

METHODS

Totally 130 AIS patients were recruited in this randomized, controlled study and randomly assigned to the RTBC group or control group in 1:1 ratio for 12-month intervention. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety/depression (HADS-A/HADS-D), and Zung self-rating anxiety/depression scale (SAS/SDS) were assessed at month 0 (M0), M3, M6, M9, and M12. Meanwhile, patients' satisfaction was also evaluated at M3, M6, M9, and M12.

RESULTS

RTBC increased MMSE score and MoCA score and reduced cognitive impairment patients' percentage assessed by MoCA score at M12 compared with control. RTBC reduced HADS-A score at M12, but not anxiety patients' percentage or severity by HADS-A at M12; besides, RTBC significantly lowered the SAS score at M9 and M12, and anxiety patients' percentage and severity by SAS at M12 compared with control. RTBC reduced HADS-D score at M9 and M12 (while statistically non-significant), but not depression patients' percentage or severity by HADS-D at M12; it decreased SDS score at M9 and M12, but not depression patients' percentage or severity by SDS at M12 compared with control. Additionally, RTBC obsessed higher patients' satisfaction at M3, M6, and M12 compared with control.

CONCLUSION

RTBC could help reduce cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression in post-stroke management for AIS patients.

The effects of a dialogue-based intervention to promote psychosocial well-being after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of a dialogue-based intervention targeting psychosocial well-being at 12 months post-stroke.

Design:

Multicenter, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial with two parallel groups.

Setting:

Community.

Subjects:

Three-hundred and twenty-two adults (⩾18 years) with stroke within the last four weeks were randomly allocated into intervention group (n = 166) or control group (n = 156).

Interventions:

The intervention group received a dialogue-based intervention to promote psychosocial well-being, comprising eight individual 1–1½ hour sessions delivered during the first six months post-stroke.

Main measures:

The primary outcome measure was the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Secondary outcome measures included the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39g, the Sense of Coherence scale, and the Yale Brown single-item questionnaire.

Results:

The mean (SD) age of the participants was 66.8 (12.1) years in the intervention group and 65.7 (13.3) years in the control group. At 12 months post-stroke, the mean (SE) GHQ-28 score was 20.6 (0.84) in the intervention group and 19.9 (0.85) in the control group. There were no between-group differences in psychosocial well-being at 12 months post-stroke (mean difference: −0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.08, 1.60). The secondary outcomes showed no statistically significant between-group difference in health-related quality of life, sense of coherence, or depression at 12 months.

Conclusion:

The results of this trial did not demonstrate lower levels of emotional distress and anxiety or higher levels of health-related quality of life in the intervention group (dialogue-based intervention) as compared to the control group (usual care) at 12 months post-stroke.

Psychometric properties of a short version of Lee Fatigue Scale used as a generic PROM in persons with stroke or osteoarthritis: assessment using a Rasch analysis approach

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a common symptom associated with a wide range of diseases and needs to be more thoroughly studied. To minimise patient burden and to enhance response rates in research studies, patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) need to be as short as possible, without sacrificing reliability and validity. It is also important to have a generic measure that can be used for comparisons across different patient populations. Thus, the aim of this secondary analysis was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian 5-item version of the Lee Fatigue Scale (LFS) in two distinct patient populations.

METHODS

The sample was obtained from two different Norwegian studies and included patients 4-6 weeks after stroke (n = 322) and patients with osteoarthritis on a waiting list for total knee arthroplasty (n = 203). Fatigue severity was rated by five items from the Norwegian version of the LFS, rating each item on a numeric rating scale from 1 to 10. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the 5-item scale across the two patient samples.

RESULTS

Three of the five LFS items ("tired", "fatigued" and "worn out") showed acceptable internal scale validity as they met the set criterion for goodness-of-fit after removal of two items with unacceptable goodness-of-fit to the Rasch model. The 3-item LFS explained 81.6% of the variance, demonstrated acceptable unidimensionality, could separate the fatigue responses into three distinct severity groups and had no differential functioning with regard to disease group. The 3-item version of the LFS had a higher separation index and better internal consistency reliability than the 5-item version.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-item version of the LFS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties in two distinct samples of patients, suggesting it may be useful as a brief generic measure of fatigue severity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02338869; registered 10/04/2014 (stroke study).

Pharmacological, psychological and non-invasive brain stimulation interventions for preventing depression after stroke

BACKGROUND

Depression is an important consequence of stroke that influences recovery yet often is not detected, or is inadequately treated. This is an update and expansion of a Cochrane Review first published in 2004 and previously updated in 2008.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective is to test the hypothesis that pharmacological, psychological therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, or combinations of these interventions reduce the incidence of diagnosable depression after stroke. Secondary objectives are to test the hypothesis that pharmacological, psychological therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation or combinations of these interventions reduce levels of depressive symptoms and dependency, and improve physical functioning after stroke. We also aim to determine the safety of, and adherence to, the interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Specialised Register of Cochrane Stroke and the Cochrane Depression Anxiety and Neurosis (last searched August 2018). In addition, we searched the following databases; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library, 2018, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2018), Embase (1980 to August 2018), PsycINFO (1967 to August 2018), CINAHL (1982 to August 2018) and three Web of Science indexes (2002 to August 2018). We also searched reference lists, clinical trial registers (World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP); to August 2018 and ClinicalTrials.gov; to August 2018), conference proceedings; we also contacted study authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing: 1) pharmacological interventions with placebo; 2) one of various forms of psychological therapy with usual care and/or attention control; 3) one of various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation with sham stimulation or usual care; 4) a pharmacological intervention and one of various forms of psychological therapy with a pharmacological intervention and usual care and/or attention control; 5) non-invasive brain stimulation and pharmacological intervention with a pharmacological intervention and sham stimulation or usual care; 6) pharmacological intervention and one of various forms of psychological therapy with placebo and psychological therapy; 7) pharmacological intervention and non-invasive brain stimulation with placebo plus non-invasive brain stimulation; 8) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus non-invasive brain stimulation plus usual care and/or attention control; and 9) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus sham brain stimulation or usual care plus psychological therapy, with the intention of preventing depression after stroke.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from all included studies. We calculated mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous data and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous data with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed heterogeneity using the I² statistic and assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 19 RCTs (21 interventions), with 1771 participants in the review. Data were available for 12 pharmacological trials (14 interventions) and seven psychological trials. There were no trials of non-invasive brain stimulation compared with sham stimulation or usual care, a combination of pharmacological intervention and one of various forms of psychological therapy with placebo and psychological therapy, or a combination of non-invasive brain stimulation and a pharmacological intervention with a pharmacological intervention and sham stimulation or usual care to prevent depression after stroke. Treatment effects were observed on the primary outcome of meeting the study criteria for depression at the end of treatment: there is very low-certainty evidence from eight trials (nine interventions) that pharmacological interventions decrease the number of people meeting the study criteria for depression (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.68; 734 participants) compared to placebo. There is very low-certainty evidence from two trials that psychological interventions reduce the proportion of people meeting the study criteria for depression (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.94, 607 participants) compared to usual care and/or attention control. Eight trials (nine interventions) found no difference in death and other adverse events between pharmacological intervention and placebo groups (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.32 to 4.91; 496 participants) based on very low-certainty evidence. Five trials found no difference in psychological intervention and usual care and/or attention control groups for death and other adverse events (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.91; 975 participants) based on very low-certainty evidence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence suggests that pharmacological interventions and psychological therapy may prevent depression and improve mood after stroke. However, there is very low certainty in these conclusions because of the very low-certainty evidence. More trials are required before reliable recommendations can be made about the routine use of such treatments after stroke.

Eye-acupuncture with rehabilitation therapy for stroke

BACKGROUND

Stroke survivors are accompanied by dysfunctions, greatly declining their activities of daily living and bringing burden to families and societies. Although modern rehabilitation therapy has a systematic program in post-stroke motor rehabilitation, numbers of patients still recover slowly. Eye-acupuncture (EA), as an important type of acupuncture, has been widely applied effectively in rehabilitation of stroke for about 50 years. So we combine EA with modern rehabilitation which has achieved successful results. Therefore, we need to adopt an objective and accurate evaluation method to study the effect of this method.

METHODS

We aim to design a multi-center, block randomized, parallel control trial to assess the effect of eye-acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training therapy for patients with hemiplegia in the convalescent stage of stroke. 360 patients will be enrolled from 6 centres, with half of them (n = 180) in the control group (routine treatment group) and others (n = 180) in the experimental group (eye-acupuncture combined with routine treatment group). Stratified block randomization will be used in the study and the serial number 001-360 which corresponds to a participant will be assigned to each center randomly. We will use the sequentially sealed envelopes to hide the generating of assignment sequence. The cases of dropouts will be recorded with reasons. And the clinical CRFs will be filled in accurately, completely, and timely for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

To verify the clinical effects, we will measure the change of bellows from visit 1 to visit 4. Primary outcomes: activity of daily living (ADL) scales (modified Barthel index); simple Fugl-Meyer motor function score; functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain in the resting state.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score scale; western aphasia battery (WAB); water swallow test; Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA); growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43); microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study will provide present evidence on assessing effectiveness of EA combined with rehabilitation training for patients with hemiplegia in the convalescent stage of stroke.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial has been registrated in Chinese Clinical Trail Registry with the registration number as ChiCTR1900027835 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/).

Pharmacological, psychological, and non-invasive brain stimulation interventions for treating depression after stroke

BACKGROUND

Depression is an important morbidity associated with stroke that impacts on recovery yet often undetected or inadequately treated. This is an update and expansion of a Cochrane Review first published in 2004 and updated in 2008.

OBJECTIVES

Primary objective • To determine whether pharmacological therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, psychological therapy, or combinations of these interventions reduce the prevalence of diagnosable depression after stroke Secondary objectives • To determine whether pharmacological therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, psychological therapy, or combinations of these interventions reduce levels of depressive symptoms, improve physical and neurological function and health-related quality of life, and reduce dependency after stroke • To assess the safety of and adherence to such treatments SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Specialised Registers of Cochrane Stroke and Cochrane Depression Anxiety and Neurosis (last searched August 2018), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 1), in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (1966 to August 2018), Embase (1980 to August 2018), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Alllied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to August 2018), PsycINFO (1967 to August 2018), and Web of Science (2002 to August 2018). We also searched reference lists, clinical trial registers (World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) to August 2018; ClinicalTrials.gov to August 2018), and conference proceedings, and we contacted study authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing (1) pharmacological interventions with placebo; (2) one of various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation with sham stimulation or usual care; (3) one of various forms of psychological therapy with usual care and/or attention control; (4) pharmacological intervention and various forms of psychological therapy with pharmacological intervention and usual care and/or attention control; (5) non-invasive brain stimulation and pharmacological intervention with pharmacological intervention and sham stimulation or usual care; (6) pharmacological intervention and one of various forms of psychological therapy with placebo and psychological therapy; (7) pharmacological intervention and non-invasive brain stimulation with placebo plus non-invasive brain stimulation; (8) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus non-invasive brain stimulation plus usual care and/or attention control; and (9) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus sham brain stimulation or usual care plus psychological therapy, with the intention of treating depression after stroke.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from all included studies. We calculated mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous data, and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous data, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed heterogeneity using the I² statistic and certainty of the evidence according to GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 49 trials (56 comparisons) with 3342 participants. Data were available for: (1) pharmacological interventions with placebo (with 20 pharmacological comparisons); (2) one of various forms of non-invasive brain stimulation with sham stimulation or usual care (with eight non-invasive brain stimulation comparisons); (3) one of various forms of psychological therapy with usual care and/or attention control (with 16 psychological therapy comparisons); (4) pharmacological intervention and various forms of psychological therapy with pharmacological intervention and usual care and/or attention control (with two comparisons); and (5) non-invasive brain stimulation and pharmacological intervention with pharmacological intervention and sham stimulation or usual care (with 10 comparisons). We found no trials for the following comparisons: (6) pharmacological intervention and various forms of psychological therapy interventions versus placebo and psychological therapy; (7) pharmacological intervention and non-invasive brain stimulation versus placebo plus non-invasive brain stimulation; (8) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus non-invasive brain stimulation plus usual care and/or attention control; and (9) non-invasive brain stimulation and one of various forms of psychological therapy versus sham brain stimulation or usual care plus psychological therapy. Treatment effects observed: very low-certainty evidence from eight trials suggests that pharmacological interventions decreased the number of people meeting study criteria for depression (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.88; 1025 participants) at end of treatment, and very low-certainty evidence from six trials suggests that pharmacological interventions decreased the number of people with less than 50% reduction in depression scale scores at end of treatment (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.69; 511 participants) compared to placebo. No trials of non-invasive brain stimulation reported on meeting study criteria for depression at end of treatment. Only one trial of non-invasive brain stimulation reported on the outcome <50% reduction in depression scale scores; thus, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis for this outcome. Very low-certainty evidence from six trials suggests that psychological therapy decreased the number of people meeting the study criteria for depression at end of treatment (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.95; 521 participants) compared to usual care/attention control. No trials of combination therapies reported on the number of people meeting the study criteria for depression at end of treatment. Only one trial of combination (non-invasive brain stimulation and pharmacological intervention) therapy reported <50% reduction in depression scale scores at end of treatment. Thus, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis for this outcome. Five trials reported adverse events related to the central nervous system (CNS) and noted significant harm in the pharmacological interventions group (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.15; 488 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Four trials found significant gastrointestinal adverse events in the pharmacological interventions group (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.19; 473 participants; very low-certainty evidence) compared to the placebo group. No significant deaths or adverse events were found in the psychological therapy group compared to the usual care/attention control group. Non-invasive brain stimulation interventions and combination therapies resulted in no deaths.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Very low-certainty evidence suggests that pharmacological or psychological therapies can reduce the prevalence of depression. This very low-certainty evidence suggests that pharmacological therapy, psychological therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, and combined interventions can reduce depressive symptoms. Pharmacological intervention was associated with adverse events related to the CNS and the gastrointestinal tract. More research is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of such treatments.

Assessment of individuals with aphasia: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze which evaluations are used by occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and physiotherapists on individuals presented with aphasia and what these evaluations address. Methods: the study conducted a national and international documental analysis of evaluations used by professionals working on the neurological rehabilitation of adults and/or elderly individuals with aphasia, published in the last ten years (January 2008/June 2018). This analysis was performed by an integrative review of databases LILACS, SciELO and PubMed, using the descriptors: Health Assessment or Testing, or Protocols, or Psychometrics, or Questionnaires and Rehabilitation, combined with the descriptors: Aphasia, Occupational Therapy, Speech-language Pathology and Physiotherapy. Results: 26 studies were included, most of which were scored as level VI of scientific evidence; the years of 2013 and 2016 presented publication peaks. The studies used 54 evaluation tools, among which 13 were recurrent in the studies, mostly analyzing aspects of communication/language. It is assumed that these data are related to the fact that speech-language pathologists provide care for individuals with aphasia; however, these individuals may present other needs beyond communication, such as those related to human occupation, requiring multiprofessional and integral health care. Among the protocols, the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) was considered the most complete, since it addresses communication, linguistic, human occupation and psycho-affective aspects. Conclusion: this study identified the use of few instruments dedicated to individuals with aphasia related to all aspects that involve life, with predominance of protocols and evaluations that only address disabilities, highlighting the importance of assessments that address subjectivity, evaluating individuals with aphasia in all dimensions of their lives.

Finding the Way Forward: The Lived Experience of People With Stroke After Participation in a Complex Psychosocial Intervention

Stroke patients' well-being is threatened after stroke. A psychosocial intervention was developed for Norwegian stroke patients living in the community. Eight individual sessions between people with stroke and a trained health care professional were conducted 1 to 6 months post-stroke with one group of participants and 6 to 12 months post-stroke with another group. Subsequently, 19 of these stroke patients were interviewed to gain an in-depth understanding of their lived experience of the influence of the intervention on their adjustment process. Interview texts were analyzed using Ricoeur's interpretation theory. Two participants did not personally find the intervention useful. The remaining participants greatly appreciated dialogues with the empathetic intervention personnel, feeling free to discuss their fears and worries. The intervention raised these participants' awareness of their needs and resources. They were guided to resume their everyday life and adopt a future-oriented attitude. The intervention facilitated their meaning-making endeavors and post-stroke adjustment.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture on aphasia after cerebral hemorrhage: A systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation training (RT) combined with acupuncture on aphasia after cerebral hemorrhage (CH).

METHODS

PUBMED, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched to identify any potential studies from inception to March 1, 2019, without language restrictions. All randomized controlled trials and case-controlled studies assessing the effectiveness of RT combined with acupuncture for the treatment of aphasia following CH will be included in this study. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to determine the methodological quality for included studies. RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Community, London, UK) will be utilized to perform statistical analysis.

RESULTS

This study will systematically evaluate the effectiveness of RT and acupuncture for aphasia post CH. Primary outcome includes aphasia, which can be measured by Aachener Aphasia Test or Communicative Activity Log or other related scales. Secondary outcomes consist of speech performance, as assessed by Western Aphasia Battery-Revised; measure of skill in Supported Conversation scales; measure of Participation in Conversation scales; types of strategies used in conversation; occurrence and repair of conversation breakdowns; as well as any adverse events.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study will provide present evidence on assessing effectiveness of RT and acupuncture after CH.

DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS

The findings of this study are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals. It does not require ethical approval, because no individual data will be utilized in this study.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019131587.

The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) as an outcome measurement in a randomized controlled trial in a Norwegian stroke population

Background

Several studies have documented the variety of post-stroke psychosocial challenges, which are complex, multifaceted, and affect a patient’s rehabilitation and recovery. Due to the consequences of these challenges, psychosocial well-being should be considered an important outcome of the stroke rehabilitation. Thus, a valid and reliable instrument that is appropriate for the stroke population is required. The factor structure of the Norwegian version of GHQ-28 has not previously been examined when applied to a stroke population.

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the GHQ-28 when applied in the stroke population included in the randomized controlled trial; “Psychosocial well-being following stroke”, by evaluating the internal consistency, exploring the factor structure, construct validity and measurement invariance.

Methods

Data were obtained from 322 individuals with a stroke onset within the past month. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test was used to test the sampling adequacy for exploratory factor analysis, and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity was used to test equal variances. Internal consistency was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha. The factor structure of the GHQ-28 was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the goodness of fit to the original structure of the outcome measurement. Measurement invariance for two time points was evaluated by configural, metric and scalar invariance.

Results

The results from the EFA supported the four-factor dimensionality, but some of the items were loaded on different factors compared to those of the original structure. The differences resulted in a reduced goodness of fit in the CFA. Measurement invariance at two time points was confirmed.

Conclusions

The change in mean score from one to six months on the GHQ-28 and the factor composition are assumed to be affected by characteristics in the stroke population. The results, when applying the GHQ-28 in a stroke population, and sub-factor analysis based on the original factor structure should be interpreted with caution.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02338869, registered 10/04/2014.

Implementation fidelity in a complex intervention promoting psychosocial well-being following stroke: an explanatory sequential mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of complex interventions should include a process evaluation to give evaluators, researchers, and policy makers greater confidence in the outcomes reported from RCTs. Implementation fidelity can be part of a process evaluation and refers to the degree to which an intervention is delivered according to protocol. The aim of this implementation fidelity study was to evaluate to what extent a dialogue-based psychosocial intervention was delivered according to protocol. A modified conceptual framework for implementation fidelity was used to guide the analysis.

METHODS

This study has an explanatory, sequential two-phase mixed methods design. Quantitative process data were collected longitudinally along with data collection in the RCT. Qualitative process data were collected after the last data collection point of the RCT. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to describe the sample, the intervention trajectories, and the adherence measures. A scoring system to clarify quantitative measurement of the levels of implementation was constructed. The qualitative data sources were analyzed separately with a theory-driven content analysis using categories of adherence and potential moderating factors identified in the conceptual framework of implementation fidelity. The quantitative adherence results were extended with the results from the qualitative analysis to assess which potential moderators may have influenced implementation fidelity and in what way.

RESULTS

The results show that the core components of the intervention were delivered although the intervention trajectories were individualized. Based on the composite score of adherence, results show that 80.1% of the interventions in the RCT were implemented with high fidelity. Although it is challenging to assess the importance of each of the moderating factors in relation to the other factors and to their influence on the adherence measures, participant responsiveness, comprehensiveness of policy description, context, and recruitment appeared to be the most prominent moderating factors of implementation fidelity in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

This evaluation of implementation fidelity and the discussion of what constitutes high fidelity implementation of this intervention are crucial in understanding the factors influencing the trial outcome. The study also highlights important methodological considerations for researchers planning process evaluations and studies of implementation fidelity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02338869; registered 10/04/2014.