The sustainability of upper limb robotic therapy for stroke survivors in an inpatient rehabilitation setting

Author(s):  
Nicholas Flynn ◽  
Elspeth Froude ◽  
Deirdre Cooke ◽  
Jessica Dennis ◽  
Suzanne Kuys
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn S. Hayward ◽  
Ruth N. Barker ◽  
Amy H. Wiseman ◽  
Sandra G. Brauer

Background: To retrain upper limb function after stroke, a high dose of activity-related therapy is recommended. However, observational studies indicate that the dose undertaken is minimal. While it is speculated that those with severe disability will perform less therapy, this remains to be explored.Objective: Quantify the dose and content of upper limb therapy performed by stroke survivors with severe upper limb disability during routine inpatient rehabilitation.Methods: Therapy provided by physiotherapists and occupational therapists to 32 stroke survivors receiving inpatient rehabilitation over 20 weekdays was recorded. Dose of individual and group therapy was analysed by discipline and severity of upper and lower limb disability. Dose and content of individual therapy was also analysed by functional domain.Results: On average, 46 minutes of individual and 11 minutes of group upper limb therapy were provided per participant, per day. Occupational therapists provided a higher dose of both individual and group therapy compared to physiotherapists (p < 0.0005). Findings suggest that greater residual upper and lower limb movement can lead to provision of a higher dose of activity-related therapy. Within individual therapy, a higher dose (29 versus 17 minutes, p < 0.002) and greater number (1218 versus 549) of impairment- than activity-related interventions were administered.Conclusions: The dose of activity-related upper limb therapy provided to stroke survivors with severe disability was limited. There is a need to identify interventions and models of service delivery that can increase the intensity and appropriateness of therapy that stroke survivors with severe disability undertake during inpatient rehabilitation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Gloria Perini ◽  
Rita Bertoni ◽  
Rune Thorsen ◽  
Ilaria Carpinella ◽  
Tiziana Lencioni ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Functional recovery of the plegic upper limb in post-stroke patients may be enhanced by sequentially applying a myoelectrically controlled FES (MeCFES), which allows the patient to voluntarily control the muscle contraction during a functional movement and robotic therapy which allows many repetitions of movements. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of MeCFES followed by robotic therapy compared to standard care arm rehabilitation for post-stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen stroke subjects (onset ⩾ 3 months, age 60.1 ± 15.5) were recruited and randomized to receive an experimental combination of MeCFES during task-oriented reaching followed by robot therapy (MRG) or same intensity conventional rehabilitation care (CG) aimed at the recovery of the upper limb (20 sessions/45 minutes). Change was evaluated through Fugl-Meyer upperextremity (FMA-UE), Reaching Performance Scale and Box and Block Test. RESULTS: The experimental treatment resulted in higher improvement on the FMA-UE compared with CG (P= 0.04), with a 10 point increase following intervention. Effect sizes were moderate in favor of the MRG group on FMA-UE, FMA-UE proximal and RPS (0.37–0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings indicate that a combination of MeCFES and robotic treatment may be more effective than standard care for recovery of the plegic arm in persons > 3 months after stroke. The mix of motor learning techniques may be important for successful rehabilitation of arm function.


Author(s):  
Bridee A. Neibling ◽  
Sarah M. Jackson ◽  
Kathryn S. Hayward ◽  
Ruth N. Barker

Abstract Background Technology is being increasingly investigated as an option to allow stroke survivors to exploit their full potential for recovery by facilitating home-based upper limb practice. This review seeks to explore the factors that influence perseverance with technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice after stroke. Methods A systematic mixed studies review with sequential exploratory synthesis was undertaken. Studies investigating adult stroke survivors with upper limb disability undertaking technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice administered ≥ 3 times/week over a period of ≥ 4 weeks were included. Qualitative outcomes were stroke survivors’ and family members’ perceptions of their experience utilising technology to facilitate home-based upper limb practice. Quantitative outcomes were adherence and dropouts, as surrogate measures of perseverance. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess quality of included studies. Results Forty-two studies were included. Six studies were qualitative and of high quality; 28 studies were quantitative and eight were mixed methods studies, all moderate to low quality. A conceptual framework of perseverance with three stages was formed: (1) getting in the game; (2) sticking with it, and; (3) continuing or moving on. Conditions perceived to influence perseverance, and factors mediating these conditions were identified at each stage. Adherence with prescribed dose ranged from 13 to 140%. Participants were found to be less likely to adhere when prescribed sessions were more frequent (6–7 days/week) or of longer duration (≥ 12 weeks). Conclusion From the mixed methods findings, we propose a framework for perseverance with technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice. The framework offers opportunities for clinicians and researchers to design strategies targeting factors that influence perseverance with practice, in both the clinical prescription of practice and technology design. To confirm the clinical utility of this framework, further research is required to explore perseverance and the factors influencing perseverance. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42017072799—https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=72799


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J Lutz ◽  
Mary Ellen Young

Introduction: More than 3.5 million family caregivers provide assistance with activities and instrumental activities of daily living for stroke survivors living at home. Studies consistently indicate that stroke family caregivers are inadequately assessed and under prepared for their new caregiver roles and responsibilities as stroke survivors transition home from inpatient rehabilitation. Several tools exist to assess caregivers once they have assumed the caregiving role, however, there are no tools assess stroke caregiver readiness prior to discharge. Research has indicated the need for a thorough and systematic pre-discharge assessment of the caregiver’s ability to assume the caregiving role. The purpose of this presentation is to describe ten critical stroke caregiver readiness assessment domains and to discuss their relevance for long-term outcomes for stroke survivors and family caregivers. Methods: In this grounded theory study, data were collected from19 persons with stroke and 19 family caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during inpatient rehabilitation and within 6 months post-discharge. First interviews focused on expectations for recovery and caregiving needs post-discharge. Follow-up interviews focused on how families managed the transition from rehabilitation to home and how their initial expectations matched the reality of their post-discharge experience. Interviews were analyzed using dimensional analysis and coded in NVivo data management software. Findings: Participants indicated that stroke was an overwhelming, life changing crisis event. Family members felt abandoned, isolated, and under prepared to assume the fulltime caregiving role as stroke survivors transitioned home. They described using ineffective or risky caregiving strategies that resulted in safety and health issues for both stroke survivors and caregivers. Ten pre-discharge caregiver readiness assessment domains were identified in the interviews and a corresponding stroke caregiver readiness assessment interview guide was developed. Conclusion: Stroke survivors and family caregivers are extremely vulnerable as they transition home from inpatient rehabilitation leaving them at risk for poorer health, depression, and increased risk for injury. In order to prevent these deleterious outcomes, caregivers should be assessed, and potential areas of risk identified and addressed prior to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. As new interventions are developed to improve survival rates for persons with stroke, we must also develop and implement primary prevention strategies for family members who are called upon to provide care following discharge to protect their health and improve the long-term recovery outcomes for the stroke survivor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Hejazi-Shirmard ◽  
Laleh Lajevardi ◽  
Mehdi Rassafiani ◽  
Ghorban Taghizadeh

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the effects of anxiety and dual-task on reach and grasp motor control in chronic stroke survivors compared with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (HC). Reach and grasp kinematic data of 68 participants (high-anxiety stroke (HA-stroke), n = 17; low-anxiety stroke (LA-stroke), n = 17; low-anxiety HC, n = 17; and high-anxiety HC, n = 17) were recorded under single- and dual-task conditions. Inefficient reach and grasp of stroke participants, especially HA-stroke were found compared with the control groups under single- and dual-task conditions as evidenced by longer movement time (MT), lower and earlier peak velocity (PV) as well as delayed and smaller hand opening. The effects of dual-task on reach and grasp kinematic measures were similar between HCs and stroke participants (i.e., increased MT, decreased PV that occurred earlier, and delayed and decreased hand opening), with greater effect in stroke groups than HCs, and in HA-stroke group than LA-stroke group. The results indicate that performing a well-learned upper limb movement with concurrent cognitive task leads to decreased efficiency of motor control in chronic stroke survivors compared with HCs. HA-stroke participants were more adversely affected by challenging dual-task conditions, underlying importance of assessing anxiety and designing effective interventions for it in chronic stroke survivors.


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