Effects of augmented exercise therapy time after stroke: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To present a systematic review of studies that addresses the effects of intensity of augmented exercise therapy time (AETT) on activities of daily living (ADL), walking, and dexterity in patients with stroke.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

A database of articles published from 1966 to November 2003 was compiled from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, DARE, and PiCarta using combinations of the following key words: stroke, cerebrovascular disorders, physical therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise therapy, rehabilitation, intensity, dose-response relationship, effectiveness, and randomized controlled trial. References presented in relevant publications were examined as well as abstracts in proceedings. Studies that satisfied the following selection criteria were included: (1) patients had a diagnosis of stroke; (2) effects of intensity of exercise training were investigated; and (3) design of the study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT). For each outcome measure, the estimated effect size (ES) and the summary effect size (SES) expressed in standard deviation units (SDU) were calculated for ADL, walking speed, and dexterity using fixed and random effect models. Correlation coefficients were calculated between observed individual effect sizes on ADL of each study, additional time spent on exercise training, and methodological quality. Cumulative meta-analyses (random effects model) adjusted for the difference in treatment intensity in each study was used for the trials evaluating the effects of AETT provided. Twenty of the 31 candidate studies, involving 2686 stroke patients, were included in the synthesis. The methodological quality ranged from 2 to 10 out of the maximum score of 14 points. The meta-analysis resulted in a small but statistically significant SES with regard to ADL measured at the end of the intervention phase. Further analysis showed a significant homogeneous SES for 17 studies that investigated effects of increased exercise intensity within the first 6 months after stroke. No significant SES was observed for the 3 studies conducted in the chronic phase. Cumulative meta-analysis strongly suggests that at least a 16-hour difference in treatment time between experimental and control groups provided in the first 6 months after stroke is needed to obtain significant differences in ADL. A significant SES supporting a higher intensity was also observed for instrumental ADL and walking speed, whereas no significant SES was found for dexterity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present research synthesis support the hypothesis that augmented exercise therapy has a small but favorable effect on ADL, particularly if therapy input is augmented at least 16 hours within the first 6 months after stroke. This meta-analysis also suggests that clinically relevant treatment effects may be achieved on instrumental ADL and gait speed.

A meta-analysis of six prospective studies of falling in Parkinson's disease

Recurrent falls are a disabling feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). We have estimated the incidence of falling over a prospective 3 month follow-up from a large sample size, identified predictors for falling for PD patients repeated this analysis for patients without prior falls, and examined the risk of falling with increasing disease severity. We pooled six prospective studies of falling in PD (n = 473), and examined the predictive power of variables that were common to most studies. The 3-month fall rate was 46% (95% confidence interval: 38-54%). Interestingly, even among subjects without prior falls, this fall rate was 21% (12-35%). The best predictor of falling was two or more falls in the previous year (sensitivity 68%; specificity 81%). The risk of falling rose as UPDRS increased, to about a 60% chance of falling for UPDRS values 25 to 35, but remained at this level thereafter with a tendency to taper off towards later disease stages. These results confirm the high frequency of falling in PD, as almost 50% of patients fell during a short period of only 3 months. The strongest predictor of falling was prior falls in the preceding year, but even subjects without any prior falls had a considerable risk of sustaining future falls. Disease severity was not a good predictor of falls, possibly due to the complex U-shaped relation with falls. Early identification of the very first fall therefore remains difficult, and new prediction methods must be developed.

Fall events among people with stroke living in the community: circumstances of falls and characteristics of fallers

OBJECTIVES

To describe the frequency and circumstances of falls among a community sample of people with stroke and to compare characteristics of fallers and nonfallers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, observational study.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-one community-dwelling people with stroke (26 men, 15 women; mean age, 69.7 +/- 11.6y), of which 23 had right-hemisphere infarction, 16 left-hemisphere infarction, and 2 had a brainstem lesion. Time since onset of stroke ranged from 3 to 288 months (mean, 50mo).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Standardized tests were used to measure mobility, upper limb function, activities of daily living (ADL ability), and mood. Information about fall events was collected by using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twenty-one participants (50%) were classed as fallers, of whom 10 had fallen repeatedly. No significant differences were found between fallers and nonfallers on any of the measures used. However, those who had 2 or more falls (n = 10) had significantly reduced arm function (P = .018) and ADL ability (P = .010), compared with those who had not fallen or experienced near falls (n = 5). Loss of balance, misjudgment, and foot dragging during walking, turning, and sit to stand were reported by fallers as the suspected causes and activities leading to falls.

CONCLUSIONS

The high risk of falling among people with stroke was evident in this community-based sample. Repeat fallers had greater mobility deficits and significantly reduced arm function and ADL ability than those who did not report any instability.

A randomised controlled trial of a home based exercise programme to reduce the risk of falling among people with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a personalised home programme of exercises and strategies for repeat fallers with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHOD

Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic PD, independently mobile, living at home in the community, experiencing more than one fall in the previous 12 months and with intact gross cognitive function were invited to participate in this randomised controlled trial. Usual care was compared with a personalised 6 week, home based exercise and strategy programme. The primary outcomes were rates of falling at 8 weeks and 6 months. Whether participants had repeat fallen, nearly fallen or experienced injurious falls were also examined. Functional Reach, the Berg Balance Test, PD Self-assessment Scale and the Euro Quol were rated by a blinded assessor.

RESULTS

Participants were randomised to the exercise (n = 70) and control (n = 72) groups. There was a consistent trend towards lower fall rates in the exercise group at both 8 weeks and 6 months and lower rates of injurious falls needing medical attention at 6 months. Lower rates of repeat near falling were evident for the exercise group at 8 weeks (p = 0.004) and 6 months (p = 0.007). There was a positive effect of exercises at 6 months on Functional Reach (p = 0.009) and quality of life (p = 0.033). No significant differences were found on other secondary outcomes measures.

CONCLUSION

There was a trend towards a reduction in fall events and injurious falls with a positive effect of exercises on near falls and quality of life.

A community-dwelling sample of people with Parkinson's disease: characteristics of fallers and non-fallers

BACKGROUND

people with Parkinson's disease often fall.

OBJECTIVES

to report the frequency of falls and characteristics of fallers and non-fallers in a community-based sample of people with Parkinson's disease.

METHOD

we administered a battery of standardized tests in the home and the laboratory.

RESULTS

we recruited 63 people with Parkinson's disease through general practices. Forty (64%, 95% confidence interval 51-74%) had fallen in the previous 12 months. Many factors associated with falling in the general population were associated with Parkinson's disease fallers (e.g. use of multiple medication and greater physical disability). Fallers were more likely to be depressed and anxious than non-fallers. Condition-specific factors associated with falling included greater disease severity (although there were exceptions) and more marked response to levodopa treatment, including more dyskinesia and on-off phenomena. Fallers took more steps to complete a test of mobility. They also had a shorter functional reach and greater postural sway whilst completing a dual task than non-fallers.

CONCLUSION

this community-based study confirms the high risk of falling in Parkinson's disease. Our results suggest that disease-specific factors contribute to the increased risk and that there is scope for specific therapeutic interventions.

Remedial therapy after stroke: a randomised controlled trial

Of 1094 patients with a confirmed stroke admitted to Northwick Park, a district general hospital, 364 (33%) died while in hospital, 215 (20%) were fully recovered when discharged, and 329 (30%) were too frail or too ill from diseases other than stroke to be considered for active rehabilitation. Only 121 (11%) were suitable for intensive treatment. They and 12 patients referred direct to outpatients were allocated at random to one of three different courses of rehabilitation. Intensive was compared with conventional rehabilitation and with a third regimen which included no routine rehabilitation, but under which patients were encouraged to continue with exercises taught while in hospital and were regularly seen at home by a health visitor. Progress at three months and 12 months was measured by an index of activities of daily living. Improvement was greatest in those receiving intensive treatment, intermediate in those receiving conventional treatment, and least in those receiving no routine treatment. Decreasing intensity of treatment was associated with a significant increase in the proportions of patients who deteriorated and in the extent to which they deteriorated. Probably only a few stroke patients, mostly men, are suitable for intensive outpatient rehabilitation, but for those patients the treatment is effective and realistic.

The circumstances of falls among people with Parkinson's disease and the use of Falls Diaries to facilitate reporting

PURPOSE

Falls are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Falls Diaries are one way of recording fall frequency and the surrounding circumstances; completing them encourages recall, and their content focuses intervention. We reviewed the diaries completed by people with PD during a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of fall prevention to ascertain the key circumstances surrounding falls.

METHOD

We asked independently mobile, cognitively intact people with a diagnosis of PD to maintain a Falls Diary throughout a six-month RCT. We sent monthly diary sheets on which to answer questions about the 'Location', 'Fall-related activity', 'Perceived cause', 'Landing' and 'Consequences' of every fall. We coded responses and counted frequencies.

RESULTS

Of the 142 RCT participants (mean age 72 years; mean years since diagnosis 8), 135 completed the trial and their diary. We excluded 11 (8%) for missing data and/or unintelligible writing. The 124 remaining diaries recorded 639 falls: 80% happened at home, commonly in bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and gardens. Fallers had been ambulant in 45% of events, standing in 32% and transferring in 21%. Six 'activity-cause combinations' accounted for 55% of falls (tripping 13%; freezing, festination and retropulsion 11%; and postural instability when bending or reaching 9%, transferring 8%, walking 7% and washing or dressing 7%). Misjudgement and distraction played a part in 12% of falls described.

CONCLUSIONS

Of over 600 falls surveyed, most happened at home, provoked by postural instability, tripping and freezing. Environmental adaptation and cognitive training should be trialled in falls prevention in PD, plus or minus traditional movement rehabilitation. Most participants completed Falls Diaries successfully. We advocate diary use, with follow-up interviews, in research and clinically. People with handwriting difficulty may require a typed diary, proxy diarist or interview.

Predicting people with stroke at risk of falls

BACKGROUND

falls are common following a stroke, but knowledge about predicting future fallers is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

to identify, at discharge from hospital, those who are most at risk of repeated falls.

METHODS

consecutively hospitalised people with stroke (independently mobile prior to stroke and with intact gross cognitive function) were recruited. Subjects completed a battery of tests (balance, function, mood and attention) within 2 weeks of leaving hospital and at 12 months post hospital discharge.

RESULTS

122 participants (mean age 70.2 years) were recruited. Fall status at 12 months was available for 115 participants and of those, 63 [55%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 46-64] experienced one or more falls, 48 (42%; 95% CI 33-51) experienced repeated falls, and 62 (54%) experienced near-falls. All variables available at discharge were screened as potential predictors of falling. Six variables emerged [near-falling in hospital, Rivermead leg and trunk score, Rivermead upper limb score, Berg Balance score, mean functional reach, and the Nottingham extended activities of daily living (NEADL) score]. A score of near-falls in hospital and upper limb function was the best predictor with 70% specificity and 60% sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

participants who were unstable (near-falls) in hospital with poor upper limb function (unable to save themselves) were most at risk of falls.

People with stroke living in the community: Attention deficits, balance, ADL ability and falls

PURPOSE

To describe levels of attention deficits among people with stroke living in the community and explore relationships between attention, balance, function and falls.

METHOD

Forty-eight mobile community-dwelling people with stroke (30 men, 18 women, mean age 68.4 +/- 11.2) were recruited to this cross-sectional investigation through General Practitioners. Twenty-six participants had a right, 21 a left hemisphere infarction and one had a brain stem lesion; mean time since stroke was 46 months (range five to 204). Participants' were interviewed about fall-events; attention, balance and function were assessed using standardised tests.

RESULTS

Visual inattention was identified in five participants (10%), deficits of sustained attention in 15 (31%), auditory selective attention in nine (19%), visual selective attention in 17 (35%) and divided attention deficits in 21 participants (43%). Sustained and divided attention scores correlated with balance, ADL ability and fall-status (p < 0.01). The balance and function of subjects with normal attention were better than those with abnormal scores (p < 0.01). Analysis of variance revealed differences between repeat-fallers and non-fallers with no near-falls for divided attention, balance and ADL ability (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Attention deficits were common among this sample; sustained and divided attention deficits correlated with functional impairments and falls, highlighting that attention deficits might contribute to accident prone behaviour and falling.

Interference between balance, gait and cognitive task performance among people with stroke living in the community

PURPOSE

To explore differences in cognitive-motor interference between people with stroke and controls when performing functional tasks and to compare dual task performance of stroke fallers and non-fallers.

METHOD

Thirty-six people with stroke (mean age 66.5, SD 11.8, mean time since onset 16 months, range 7 - 56) and 24 controls (mean age 62.3, SD 11.61) performed balance and gait tasks in isolation and in conjunction with a cognitive task (remembering a seven item-shopping list). Three-dimensional movement analysis was used to assess anterior posterior (AP) and lateral (ML) sway; 5 m walk time, stride length and velocity.

RESULTS

In the single task condition, people with stroke had greater AP sway, reduced velocity and stride length and a longer 5 m walk time than controls (p < 0.01). In the dual task condition, sway reduced and gait slowed in both groups (p < 0.01 for AP sway, stride length, velocity, walk time); only the increase in walk time was greater in people with stroke than in the controls (F = 4.2, p = 0.046). Cognitive performance was maintained during the balance trials but deteriorated during the dual task gait trials in people with stroke (p = 0.017). Similar trends were noted for fallers and non-fallers with stroke: Only group effects for stride length and velocity reached significance (p < 0.05) and only the reduction in stride length was significantly greater among fallers than non-fallers (F = 12.3, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

People with stroke and controls employed similar strategies during the simultaneous performance of simple functional and silent cognitive tasks and maintained postural stability. Increased walk time and decreased cognitive recall were greater for people with stroke and reduced stride length distinguished fallers from non-fallers.

Unpacking the black box of therapy -- a pilot study to describe occupational therapy and physiotherapy interventions for people with stroke

OBJECTIVE

To describe the components used in the practice of occupational therapy and physiotherapy for people with stroke and to examine variability between services.

DESIGN

A time-sampling strategy in which therapists recorded their face-to-face interventions with stroke patients during 12 weeks over a total of 17 months.

SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS

Six occupational therapists and seven physiotherapists from four services (three day hospitals and one domiciliary stroke rehabilitation service) recorded interventions with 89 stroke patients recruited to a larger randomized controlled trial.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequencies of use of interventions, together with other details about delivery of therapy, were recorded using a data collection booklet and coding system designed by the participating therapists.

RESULTS

The median treatment time for a session was 45 minutes. The most frequently recorded components of physiotherapy intervention were 'walking', 'standing balance' and 'upper limb movement pattern', and of occupational therapy 'physical function', 'social and leisure activities' and 'other'. There was variability between the services in terms of median treatment time, use of intervention codes, frequency of treatment sessions, amount of time spent working with assistance and amount of group work.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the view that occupational therapy and physiotherapy with people with stroke are not homogeneous activities, and vary between therapists and services. Recommendations include further development of the tool, and use of other methodologies to explore the process and nature of stroke rehabilitation.

Fall events described by people with Parkinson's disease: implications for clinical interviewing and the research agenda

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe the terminology used by people with Parkinson's disease (PD) when recounting falls and near-misses (fall events) and to identify the surrounding circumstances.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study (part of an investigation identifying risk factors for falling in PD) utilized structured interviews about falling, conducted in participants' homes. Content analysis of participants' descriptions of events was performed. Fifty-five independently mobile, community-dwelling people with PD, identified via general practices in Southampton took part in the study.

RESULTS

Mean participant age was 71.5 years (SD = 7.6 years); mean time since diagnosis was 3.6 years (SD = 2.3 years). Thirty-four participants (62%) reported having fallen and 41 (75%) reported having nearly fallen in the previous 12 months. Recounting events, participants mentioned the location, frequency, process and landing, their activity and fall-avoidance. Falls at home, tripping, events arising when turning, falling forward, frequent near-misses and unsuccessful restoration of balance were commonly described.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent recounting of processes, locations and landings suggest these details are memorable and easily recalled. Eliciting the activities during which events occurred, their frequency and avoidance-strategies, may necessitate probing by interviewers. An interview schedule is proposed. Aspects common to falls and near-misses, particularly turning, suggest a natural progression of activity-related falls.

The unmet needs of young people who have had a stroke: results of a national UK survey

BACKGROUND

Most stroke-related studies have consisted of people over the age of 65. This study examined the unmet needs of young people with stroke, living in community housing in the UK.

METHOD

People with a stroke (>1 year ago), in two age bands (18-45; 46-65) were sent the Southampton Needs Assessment Questionnaire for people with Stroke.

RESULTS

315 out of 639 (49%) questionnaires were returned (mean age 55, SD 9; 189 males, 126 females). The median number of unmet needs reported was two (IQR 0-6). The most frequently reported unmet needs were: provision of information about the responders' stroke (45%); assistance with finances (24%); non-care activities (19%); and intellectual fulfillment (17%). Responders in the younger age group reported significantly more unmet needs than responders in the older age group (for a holiday, intellectual fulfillment and family support). Responders with poor mobility reported significantly more unmet needs than responders with average and good mobility for 15 unmet needs (three most pressing: respite care/short breaks; adaptations; and access to community environment). Responders who did not return to work reported significantly more unmet needs than responders who had reduced hours or changed jobs and people who returned to the same job with the same hours for seven unmet needs (three most pressing: help with finances; a holiday and speech therapy).

CONCLUSION

People of younger age, with poorer mobility and those unable to return to work, report most unmet needs. Further work needs to be done within the community, with employers and professionals, in relation to education and the provision of specifically targeted information in order to facilitate participation and autonomy for people with stroke.

Predicting fallers in a community-based sample of people with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

The risk of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) falling is greater than that of the general population but to date, disease-specific predictors of falling have not been identified.

OBJECTIVES

To identify one or more features, which would predict individuals at risk of falling during a 3-month prospective follow-up study.

METHOD

A battery of standardised tests administered in the home and the laboratory with a 3-month follow-up telephone interview.

RESULTS

Sixty-three people with PD were recruited from GP practices. Eleven interview variables and six gait laboratory variables were used with subsamples (55 and 44 subjects, respectively) to fit predictive models for identifying future fallers. The number of falls in the previous year was the most important variable, without exception, to be selected as a predictor in various logistic regression models. A history of two or more falls had a sensitivity of 86.4% (95% CI 67.3-96.2%) and a specificity of 85.7% (95% CI 71.2-94.2%) in predicting falling in the next 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers should be asking their patients with PD regularly and carefully about falling, and should consider instigating programmes of fall management for patients with PD who have fallen two or more times in the previous 12 months.

A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial after stroke (AVERT): a Phase III, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mobilising patients early after stroke [early mobilisation (EM)] is thought to contribute to the beneficial effects of stroke unit care but it is poorly defined and lacks direct evidence of benefit.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the effectiveness of frequent higher dose very early mobilisation (VEM) after stroke.

DESIGN

We conducted a parallel-group, single-blind, prospective randomised controlled trial with blinded end-point assessment using a web-based computer-generated stratified randomisation.

SETTING

The trial took place in 56 acute stroke units in five countries.

PARTICIPANTS

We included adult patients with a first or recurrent stroke who met physiological inclusion criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients received either usual stroke unit care (UC) or UC plus VEM commencing within 24 hours of stroke.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was good recovery [modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-2] 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcomes at 3 months were the mRS, time to achieve walking 50 m, serious adverse events, quality of life (QoL) and costs at 12 months. Tertiary outcomes included a dose-response analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Patients, outcome assessors and investigators involved in the trial were blinded to treatment allocation.

RESULTS

We recruited 2104 (UK, n = 610; Australasia, n = 1494) patients: 1054 allocated to VEM and 1050 to UC. Intervention protocol targets were achieved. Compared with UC, VEM patients mobilised 4.8 hours [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1 to 5.7 hours; p < 0.0001] earlier, with an additional three (95% CI 3.0 to 3.5; p < 0.0001) mobilisation sessions per day. Fewer patients in the VEM group (n = 480, 46%) had a favourable outcome than in the UC group (n = 525, 50%) (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.90; p = 0.004). Results were consistent between Australasian and UK settings. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes at 3 months and QoL at 12 months. Dose-response analysis found a consistent pattern of an improved odds of efficacy and safety outcomes in association with increased daily frequency of out-of-bed sessions but a reduced odds with an increased amount of mobilisation (minutes per day).

LIMITATIONS

UC clinicians started mobilisation earlier each year altering the context of the trial. Other potential confounding factors included staff patient interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients in the VEM group were mobilised earlier and with a higher dose of therapy than those in the UC group, which was already early. This VEM protocol was associated with reduced odds of favourable outcome at 3 months cautioning against very early high-dose mobilisation. At 12 months, health-related QoL was similar regardless of group. Shorter, more frequent mobilisation early after stroke may be associated with a more favourable outcome.

FUTURE WORK

These results informed a new trial proposal [A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial - DOSE (AVERT-DOSE)] aiming to determine the optimal frequency and dose of EM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12606000185561, Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN98129255 and ISRCTN98129255.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 21, No. 54. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Funding was also received from the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia, Singapore Health, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, and the Stroke Association. In addition, National Health and Medical Research Council fellowship funding was provided to Julie Bernhardt (1058635), who also received fellowship funding from the Australia Research Council (0991086) and the National Heart Foundation (G04M1571). The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, which hosted the trial, acknowledges the support received from the Victorian Government via the Operational Infrastructure Support Scheme.

Patients' expectations of recovery following stroke: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Patients and carers frequently express disappointment with the extent of recovery achieved at the point of discharge from physiotherapy. Research has suggested that high expectations of recovery may be encouraged by physiotherapists. This study examined the information exchanged between physiotherapists and patients in relation to recovery following stroke in order to explore this issue.

METHODS

The study comprised in-depth longitudinal case studies of 16 patients with a first incident stroke. Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and their physiotherapists to explore their understandings and expectations of recovery and of physiotherapy at three time points. Patients were assessed for deficits of movement, function and mood at the same three stages and observations of out-patient sessions were also conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The assessment data were analysed using descriptive and comparative statistics.

RESULTS

Data indicated deficits of movement improved significantly between the first and third assessments. The qualitative data showed that physiotherapists did not encourage over-optimistic expectations of recovery through the verbal information they provided to patients. Nevertheless patients did maintain high expectations of recovery throughout the three-month post-stroke period.

CONCLUSION

Improved communication strategies, informed by an evidence base of recovery, should be used to encourage realistic expectations of physiotherapy without destroying the process of active participation and skill acquisition.

Physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation: a survey within the UK

PURPOSE

The Bobath concept is one of the most widely used approaches in stroke rehabilitation within Europe. This survey aimed to provide an expert consensus view of the theoretical beliefs underlying current Bobath practise in the UK.

METHOD

Questionnaires (with sections related to: therapist background, physiotherapy management, theoretical beliefs and gait re-education strategies used) were posted to all senior level physiotherapists working in stroke care (n = 1,022).

RESULTS

The majority of respondents had more than 10 year's experience overall and at least 5 years experience in stroke care. The Bobath concept was the preferred approach (n = 67%) followed by an 'eclectic' approach (n = 31%). Despite a high level of consensus between groups, there were 13 significant differences highlighted between Bobath and 'eclectic' groups related to recovery, control of tone, the analysis and facilitation of normal movement and function. In summary. Bobath therapists considered that patients needed to have normal tone and use normal movement patterns in order to perform functional tasks. They would delay patients from performing tasks independently if abnormal tone and movement would be reinforced by task practice. They were not opposed to the use of walking aids and orthotics.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey has raised several issues for debate within physiotherapy such as the automatic translation of movement into function, carry over outside therapy, and the way in which tasks should be practiced. The dominance of the Bobath concept needs to be justified by establishing that it is both effective and efficient at achieving its treatment aims of: normalizing tone, improving intrinsic recovery of the affected side and function within everyday tasks.

Discharge from physiotherapy following stroke: the management of disappointment

Stroke tends to result in a range of disabilities which have been shown to benefit from rehabilitation, in particular physiotherapy. Patients tend to have high expectations of the extent of recovery they can achieve through physiotherapy, and subsequently view discharge from physiotherapy before they have achieved that degree of recovery as disappointing and distressing. Current literature suggest that explicit discussion between physiotherapists and patients of the anticipated extent of recovery tends to be avoided during the programme of physiotherapy treatment, making discharge from physiotherapy the point at which potentially differing expectations might be expected to be confronted. This paper explores how the process of discharge is managed and experienced by patients and physiotherapists. It draws on Craib's (1994) ideas about how disappointment is managed in modern society. A qualitative longitudinal study was conducted with 16 stroke patients and their physiotherapists. These data comprise interview and observational material. The study found that the discharge of stroke patients from physiotherapy is not a point when patients' expectations and optimism about recovery are confronted. The notion of natural recovery that was raised with patients by physiotherapists at discharge and the information physiotherapists gave about exercise post-discharge had the effect of maintaining patients' high expectations and hopes about recovery. This has implications for the process of adaptation and adjustment that the patient eventually goes through in order to accommodate their altered abilities and identity. We argue that a number of factors contribute to the denial of disappointment within this interaction and that services need to be developed in ways that enable physiotherapists to engage with the possibility of disappointment about stroke outcome with patients, thereby making a positive contribution to the process of adaptation and adjustment that stroke survivors experience following discharge.

Dysfunctional turning in Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently freeze or fall turning: They turn slowly taking numerous steps. We aimed to describe more fully the differences observed on turning between people with and without PD, in particular the extent of left-right asymmetry and the correlations between turning and age, balance and PD severity, using a simple clinical test.

METHOD

Twenty-eight people with PD (median age 71; median years since diagnosis eight) and 12 controls (median age 70) performed the video-based Standing Start 180 degrees Turn Test. We counted turning steps (n), evaluated turn time (sec), type and quality (0 - 5, based on independence, ground clearance, stability, continuity and posture) and calculated the 95% limits of left-right agreement.

RESULTS

The groups differed (p < 0.004) on step count (medians 4.5 vs. 3), time (2.3 sec vs. 1.7 sec) and quality (4 vs. 5). In the PD group, 75% turned 'on-the-spot' and differences turning left and right were marked (e.g., 95% upper limit for step count 6.6). Among controls, 42% turned 'on-the-spot' and turning was symmetrical (e.g., 95% upper limit for step count 1.7). Step count was most closely correlated with self-assessed disability in PD (r = 0.67; p = 0.001) and with age among controls (r = 0.87; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

People having difficulty turning are likely to have trouble with many everyday activities and thus may benefit from rehabilitation. Directional asymmetry in turning is easily identifiable and future studies should explore its diagnostic value.

Stops walking when talking as a predictor of falls in people with stroke living in the community

OBJECTIVE

To test "Stops walking when talking" (SWWT) as a predictor of falls among people with stroke living in the community.

METHODS

People with stroke were identified through hospital records. Mobility, ADL (activities of daily living) ability, mental state, mood, and SWWT were assessed in a single session. Participants were followed prospectively for six months, using falls diaries and regular telephone calls.

RESULTS

Sixty three participants (36 men, 27 women; mean (SD) age 68.4 (10.6)) were recruited. Four subjects had a brainstem lesion, 30 had right hemisphere, and 29 left hemisphere infarctions. Mean time since onset of stroke was 20 months (range 2-72). Twenty six subjects stopped walking when a conversation was started and 16 of them fell during the six month follow up period (11 experienced repeated falls). For all fallers (>or=1) the positive predictive value of SWWT was 62% (16/26), the negative predictive value 62% (23/37), specificity 70% (23/33) and sensitivity 53% (16/30). For repeat fallers (>or=2) the positive predictive value of SWWT was 42% (11/26), the negative predictive value 89% (33/37), specificity 69% (33/48) and sensitivity 73% (11/15). Those who stopped walking were significantly more disabled (p<0.001)-that is, they were more dependent in activities of daily living, had worse gross function as well as worse upper and lower limb function, and had depression (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The specificity of the SWWT test was lower but sensitivity was higher than previously reported. Although the SWWT test was easy to use, its clinical usefulness as a single indicator of fall risk in identifying those community dwelling people with stroke most at risk of falls and in need of therapeutic intervention is questionable.

Interventions for preventing falls in people after stroke

BACKGROUND

Falls are one of the most common medical complications after stroke with a reported incidence of 7% in the first week after stroke onset. Studies investigating falls in the later phase after stroke report an incidence of up to 73% in the first year post-stroke.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing falls in people after stroke.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group (November 2012) and the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group (May 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 5, MEDLINE (1950 to May 2012), EMBASE (1980 to May 2012), CINAHL (1982 to May 2012), PsycINFO (1806 to May 2012), AMED (1985 to May 2012) and PEDro (May 2012). We also searched trials registers, checked reference lists and contacted authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of interventions where the primary or secondary aim was to prevent falls in people after stroke.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted data. We used a rate ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) to compare the rate of falls (e.g. falls per person year) between intervention and control groups. For risk of falling we used a risk ratio and 95% CI based on the number of people falling (fallers) in each group. We pooled results where appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 10 studies with a total of 1004 participants. One study evaluated the effect of exercises in the acute and subacute phase after stroke but found no significant difference in rate of falls (rate ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.90, 95 participants). The pooled result of four studies investigating the effect of exercises on preventing falls in the chronic phase also found no significant difference for rate of falls (rate ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.38, 412 participants).For number of fallers, one study examined the effect of exercises in the acute and subacute phase after stroke but found no significant difference between the intervention and control group (risk ratio 1.19, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.71, 95 participants). The pooled result of six studies examining the effect of exercises in the chronic phase also found no significant difference in number of fallers between the intervention and control groups (risk ratio 1.02, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.24, 616 participants).The rate of falls and the number of fallers was significantly reduced in two studies evaluating the effect of medication on preventing falls; one study (85 participants) compared vitamin D versus placebo in institutionalised women after stroke with low vitamin D levels, and the other study (79 participants) evaluated alendronate versus alphacalcidol in hospitalised people after stroke.One study provided single lens distance glasses to regular wearers of multifocal glasses. In a subgroup of 46 participants post-stroke there was no significant difference in the rate of falls (rate ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.52 to 2.25) or the number of fallers between both groups (risk ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.18).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is currently insufficient evidence that exercises or prescription of single lens glasses to multifocal users prevent falls or decrease the number of people falling after being discharged from rehabilitation following their stroke. Two studies testing vitamin D versus placebo and alendronate versus alphacalcidol found a significant reduction in falls and the number of people falling. However, these findings should be replicated before the results are implemented in clinical practice.

A pilot study of the effect of aerobic exercise on people with moderate disability multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

A pilot study to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on the mobility and function of people with moderate disability multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN

A small group, comparative, pre- and post-intervention study.

SETTING

A gymnasium within a general hospital.

SUBJECTS

Eight subjects, all female, average age 45 years (range 33-61) with moderate disability MS (Kurtzke scale 4-6), were recruited; six completed the study.

INTERVENTION

Intervention consisted of bi-weekly sessions of 30 min cycling on a static bike at their maximal level of exertion for 12 weeks.

MAIN MEASURES

The stability of each individual's condition was established pre-intervention using three baseline assessments over two weeks. A battery of tests (the 10-metre and 6-min walk tests, the Functional Reach, the Gulick and the Guys Neurological Disability Scale) were completed pre and post intervention. Potential negative effects were recorded on the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale. An independent rater completed assessments post intervention. Inter-rater reliability was found to be acceptable.

RESULTS

Comparisons pre and post intervention (Wilcoxon signed ranked test) showed significant improvement on the Guys Neurological Disability Scale (p = 0.026), with the mean score reducing from 13 to 9, and the 6-min walk test (p = 0.046), with the mean distance increasing from 200 m to 261 m. Other measures failed to reach significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this pilot study suggest overall disability and mobility improved with the aerobic training. A positive treatment effect in this small study suggests the need for a larger trial. Knowledge of how to establish predictive heart rate and how to monitor the effects of cycling with people with MS will be used to inform future clinical trials.

The Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation: a focus group study of the experienced physiotherapists' perspective

PURPOSE

The Bobath concept, usually known as neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) in America, is one of the major approaches used to rehabilitate patients following stroke; however since the last publication of Bobath (1990), the concept has been taught via an oral tradition on postgraduate courses. This study therefore aimed to explore with experienced therapists firstly how the Bobath concept had changed since 1990, and secondly what they considered its main theoretical assumptions to be using a focus group research design.

METHOD

Eight peer-nominated expert physiotherapists agreed to participate in two focus groups organized according to specialist interest in either neurology (group A) or elderly care (group B). Therapists were asked to discuss six topics based on a review of published literature. Data analysis involved several readings of verbatim transcriptions, from which key themes and concepts were developed.

RESULTS

All therapists agreed on the following core themes defining Bobath: analysis of normal movement, control of tone and facilitation of movement. Neuroplasticity was described as the primary rationale for treatment with therapists using afferent information to target the damaged central nervous system. In addition group A discussed motor learning, whereas group B discussed patient focused goals and relating treatment to function.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted changes in theory, terminology, and techniques. Tone remained a major problem in the rehabilitation management of the hemiplegic patient; however much attention was also directed towards the musculoskeletal system. Both facilitation of normal movement components and task specific practice using specific manual guidance were considered critical elements of the Bobath concept. For Bobath therapists, physiotherapy has an important impact on both the performance components of movement and functional outcomes. In view of the small numbers involved in this preliminary study, further studies are now needed to determine if these themes and concepts are congruent with the majority of physiotherapists' interpretation of the Bobath concept in stroke rehabilitation.