Effect of Dual Task Cognitive Performance along with Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment on Gait Parameters in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Study Protocol of Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Studies demonstrate the benefits of upper limbs cycle ergometer (ULCE) in subacute and chronic stroke subjects, but the literature still needs to explore the acute phase of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Verify the effects of ULCE on muscular strength, trunk control and independence of post-stroke subjects in hospital acute phase. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial participants were allocated into two groups. The control group (CG) performed two daily sessions of conventional physiotherapy, while the intervention group (IG) had one daily session of conventional physiotherapy and one of ULCE. The interventions were carried out for 20 minutes for five days. Both groups were assessed before and after the treatment for upper limbs strength by manual dynamometer, trunk control by Trunk Impairment Scale and level of independence by the Modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: Twenty subjects with mean ages of 63.5±4.5 were enrolled. There was a significant intra-group difference of palmar grip, shoulder abductors, elbow flexor and wrist extensor strength, trunk control and functional independence only in IG. Inter-group difference for all variables showed superiority in IG. CONCLUSIONS: ULCE is an effective device for increasing muscle strength, trunk control and consequently improving the independence of post-stroke subjects in the acute hospital phase.

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Telerehabilitation Intervention in Patients with COVID-19 after Hospital Discharge to Improve Functional Capacity and Quality of Life. Study Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18062924 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 2924

Author(s):

José-Manuel Pastora-Bernal ◽

María-José Estebanez-Pérez ◽

Guadalupe Molina-Torres ◽

Francisco-José García-López ◽

Raquel Sobrino-Sánchez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Study Protocol ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Treatment Method ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Current Standard

COVID-19 can cause important sequels in the respiratory system and frequently presents loss of strength, dyspnea, polyneuropathies and multi-organic affectation. Physiotherapy interventions acquire a fundamental role in the recovery of the functions and the quality of life. Regarding the recovery phases after hospital discharge, the current evidence available is very preliminary. Telerehabilitation is presented as a promising complementary treatment method to standard physiotherapy. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized telerehabilitation intervention after discharge from hospital for the improvement of functional capacity and quality of life compared to a program of health education and/or care in a rehabilitation center. As secondary objectives, to identify the satisfaction and perception of patients with the telerehabilitation intervention and the presence of barriers to its implementation, as well as to evaluate the cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the health system. This study protocol will be carried out through a single blind multicenter randomized clinical trial in the south of Spain. We hypothesize that the implementation of a telerehabilitation program presents results not inferior to those obtained with the current standard intervention. If the hypothesis is confirmed, it would be an opportunity to define new policies and interventions to address this disease and its consequences. Trial registration NCT04742946.

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