Effects of Self RehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE) on Functional Restorations in Patients with Subacute Stroke

A Study on the Effects of a Self-Administered Eye Exercise Program on the Balance and Gait Ability of Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigates the effects of a self-administered eye exercise (SEE) program on the balance and gait ability of chronic stroke patients hospitalized due to hemiplegia. This study includes 42 patients diagnosed with stroke-related hemiplegia and hospitalized at D Rehabilitation Hospital. The researcher randomly allocated 42 patients into two groups: the experimental group (EG, n = 21, mean age = 58.14 ± 7.69 years, mean BMI = 22.83 ± 2.19 kg/m2) and the control group (CG, n = 21, mean age = 58.57 ± 6.53 years, mean BMI = 22.81 ± 2.36 kg/m2). The SEE program was applied to the EG and the general self-administered exercise (SE) program was applied to the CG. After 4 weeks of intervention, weight distribution of the affected side, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), step length of the affected side, step length of the unaffected side, gait speed, and cadence were analyzed and compared. In the within-group comparison, both groups showed significant differences in weight distribution (p < 0.05), TUG (p < 0.05), step length of the affected side (p < 0.05), step length of the unaffected side (p < 0.05), gait speed (p < 0.05), and cadence (p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, a significant difference in the TUG (p < 0.05) was observed. The SEE program had an overall similar effect to the SE program in improving the balance and gait ability of chronic stroke patients, and had a greater effect on dynamic balance ability. Therefore, the SEE program can be proposed as a self-administered exercise program to improve balance and gait ability in stroke patients who are too weak to perform the SE program in a clinical environment or have a high risk of falling.

Provision of a Home-Based Video-Assisted Therapy Program Is Noninferior to In-Person Hand Therapy After Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

In-person hand therapy is commonly prescribed for rehabilitation after thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty but may be burdensome to patients because of the need to travel to appointments. Asynchronous, video-assisted home therapy is a method of care in which videos containing instructions and exercises are provided to the patient, without the need for in-person or telemedicine visits. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of providing video-only therapy (VOT) as compared with scheduled in-person therapy (IPT) after thumb CMC arthroplasty.

METHODS

We performed a single-site, prospective, randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing primary thumb CMC arthroplasty without an implant. The study included 50 women and 8 men, with a mean age of 61 years (range, 41 to 83 years). Of these, 96.6% were White, 3.4% were Black, and 13.8% were of Hispanic ethnicity. The primary outcome measure was the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity (UE) score. Subjects in the VOT group were provided with 3 videos of home exercises to perform. Subjects in the control group received standardized IPT with a hand therapist. Improvements in the PROMIS UE score from preoperatively to 12 weeks and 1 year postoperatively were compared.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight subjects (29 control, 29 experimental) were included in the analysis at the 12-week time point, and 54 (27 control, 27 experimental) were included in the analysis at the 1-year time point. VOT was noninferior to IPT for the PROMIS UE score at 12 weeks and 1 year postoperatively, with a difference of mean improvement (VOT - IPT) of 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.6 to 6.6) and 2.2 (95% CI, -3.0 to 7.3), respectively, both of which were below the minimal clinically important difference (4.1). Patients in the VOT group potentially saved on average 201.3 miles in travel.

CONCLUSIONS

VOT was noninferior to IPT for upper extremity function after thumb CMC arthroplasty. Time saved in commutes was considerable for those who did not attend IPT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Identifying profiles of stroke patients benefitting from additional training: a latent class analysis approach

OBJECTIVE

To identify profiles of stroke patient benefitting from additional training, using latent class analysis.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PATIENTS

Patients with stroke (n = 6,875) admitted to 42 recovery rehabilitation units in Japan between January 2005 and March 2016 who were registered in the Japan Association of Rehabilitation Database.

METHODS

The main outcome measure was the difference in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores between admission and discharge (referred to as "gain"). The effect of additional training, categorized as usual care (no additional training), self-exercise, training with hospital staff, or both exercise (combining self-exercise and training with hospital staff), was assessed through multiple regression analyses of latent classes.

RESULTS

Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1185 patients were classified into 7 latent classes based on their admission characteristics (class size n = 82 (7%) to n = 226 (19%)). Patients with class 2 characteristics (right hemiparesis and modified dependence in the motor-FIM and cognitive-FIM) had positive FIM gain with additional training (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.49-3.29; p < 0.01). One-way analysis of variance revealed that training with hospital staff (95% CI 0.07-16.94; p < 0.05) and both exercises (95% CI 5.38-15.13; p < 0.01) led to a significantly higher mean FIM gain than after usual care.

CONCLUSION

Additional training in patients with stroke with right hemiparesis and modified dependence in activities of daily living was shown to improve activities of daily living. Training with hospital staff combined with self-exercise is a promising rehabilitation strategy for these patients.

PRACTICAL ASPECTS AND RESULTS OF COGNITIVE THERAPY IN THE EARLY RECOVERY PERIOD OF ISCHEMIC STROKE

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To determine the impact of cognitive training on the degree of cognitive functions recovery and quality of life in the early recovery period of ischemic stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: 108 patients with cerebral infarction were examined outpatiently, follow-up from 1 to 3 months from the onset of the disease. Basic assessment methods: screening index of cognitive disorders according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Results and Conclusions: Comprehensive rehabilitation measures for the early recovery period of ischemic stroke achieve improvement of the cognitive sphere: a significant increase in the average score on the Montreal scale of cognitive functions assessment (MoCA scale) in both observation groups.

Comparison of Effect of Three Different Surgical Procedures on Ankle Joint Function Rehabilitation of Patients with Hepple V Talus Osteochondral Injury

Objective

To discuss and compare the effects of three different surgical procedures on ankle function rehabilitation of patients with Hepple V talus osteochondral injury.

Methods

A total of 60 patients with Hepple V talus osteochondral injury admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021, among which 17 patients in study group 1 received microfracture surgery, 20 patients in study group 2 received osteochondral autologous transplantation, and 23 patients in study group 3 received with periosteal iliac bone transplantation. The range of motion (ROM) of the patients' angle was evaluated by the goniometer before and after the treatment. The ankle function was evaluated by the ankle-hindfoot score of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). The ankle joint pain was evaluated by visual analogue score (VAS). The surgical efficacy was evaluated 12 months after surgery, and complications and nursing satisfaction were observed and recorded.

Results

There was no significant difference in ROM, AOFAS score, and VAS score among the three groups before the treatment (P > 0.05). ROM and AOFAS score of the three groups were improved, and VAS score was decreased at 6 months and 12 months after treatment (P < 0.05). ROM and AOFAS score of group 2 and group 3 were higher than those of group 1, while the VAS score was lower than that of group 1, indicating significant difference (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ROM, AOFAS, and VAS score between group 2 and group 3 (P > 0.05). The surgical efficacy of group 2 and group 3 was higher than that of group 1, indicating statistical significance (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the surgical significance between group 2 and group 3 (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in complication rate among the three groups (P > 0.05), and the treatment satisfaction of group 2 and group 3 was higher than that of group 1, indicating statistical significance (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group 2 and group 3 (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Three different surgical procedures have good therapeutic effect for Hepple V talus osteochondral injury. Osteochondral autologous transplantation and periosteal iliac bone transplantation can reduce the pain of ankle joint, promote the effect of ankle joint function recovery, which can effectively improve patient satisfaction. It is suggested to choose the surgical procedure according to the actual situation of patients.