Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched Medline, CINHAL, Embase, AMED and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (inception to August 2022). Effect size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) quantified treatment effect. RESULTS: Of 31,285 identified articles, 39 studies (957 participants), mostly at high risk of bias, were included. For children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), trunk-oriented strength exercises and usual care were more effective than usual care alone in improving distal upper-limb function, sitting and dynamic reaching balance (ES range: 0.87 to 2.29). For adults with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), vibratory proprioceptive assistance and neuromuscular electrical stimulation respectively improved maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reduced pain intensity (ES range: 1.58 to 2.33). For adults with FSHD, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), strength-training improved dynamic balance (sit-to-stand ability) and self-perceived physical condition (ES range: 0.83 to 1.00). A multicomponent programme improved perceived exertion rate and gait in adults with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (ES range: 0.92 to 3.83). CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence suggests that strength training, with or without other exercise interventions, may improve perceived exertion, distal upper limb function, static and dynamic balance, gait and well-being in MD. Although more robust and larger studies are needed, current evidence supports the inclusion of strength training in MD treatment, as it was found to be safe.

Children and adolescents with all forms of shoulder instability demonstrate differences in their movement and muscle activity patterns when compared to age- and sex-matched controls.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: Shoulder instability (SI) is a complex impairment, and identifying biomarkers that differentiate subgroups is challenging. Children and adolescents with SI (irrespective of etiology) have differences in their movement and muscle activity profiles compared to age- and sex-matched controls (2-tailed). There are limited fundamental movement and muscle activity data for identifying different mechanisms for SI in children and adolescents that can inform subgrouping and treatment allocation. METHODS: Young people between 8 and 18 years were recruited into 2 groups of SI and age- and sex-matched controls (CG). All forms of SI were included, and young people with coexisting neurologic pathologies or deficits were excluded. Participants attended a single session and carried out 4 unweighted and 3 weighted tasks in which their movements and muscle activity was measured using 3-dimensional (3D) movement analysis and surface electromyography (sEMG). Statistical parametric mapping was used to identify between-group differences. RESULTS: Data were collected for 30 young people (15 SI [6 male, 9 female] and 15 CG [8 male, 7 female]). The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 13.6 years (3.0). The SI group demonstrated consistently more protracted and elevated sternoclavicular joint positions during all movements. Normalized muscle activity in latissimus dorsi was lower in the SI group and had the most statistically significant differences across all movements. Where differences were identified, the SI group also had increased normalized activity of their middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, and biceps muscles but decreased activity of their latissimus dorsi, triceps and anterior deltoid muscles compared with the CG group. No statistically significant differences were found for the pectoralis major across any movements. Weighted tasks produced fewer differences in muscle activity patterns compared with unweighted tasks. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Young people with SI may adapt their movements to minimize glenohumeral joint instability. This was demonstrated by reduced variability in acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint angles, adoption of different movement strategies across the same joints, and increased activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles, despite achieving similar arm positions to the CG. Young people with SI demonstrated consistent differences in their muscle activity and movement patterns. Consistently observed differences at the shoulder girdle included increased sternoclavicular protraction and elevation accompanied by increased normalized activity of the posterior scapula-stabilizing muscles. Existing methods of measurement may be used to inform clinical decision making; however, further work is needed to evaluate the prognostic and clinical utility of derived 3D and sEMG data for informing decision making within SI.

Prevalence, Trajectory, and Predictors of Poststroke Pain: Retrospective Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trial Data Set.

BACKGROUND: Poststroke pain remains underdiagnosed and inadequately managed. To inform the optimum time to initiate interventions, we examined prevalence, trajectory, and participant factors associated with poststroke pain. METHODS: Eligible studies from the VISTA (Virtual International Stroke Trials Archives) included an assessment of pain. Analyses of individual participant data examined demography, pain, mobility, independence, language, anxiety/depression, and vitality. Pain assessments were standardized to the European Quality of Life Scale (European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level) pain domain, describing no, moderate, or extreme pain. We described pain prevalence, associations between participant characteristics, and pain using multivariable models. RESULTS: From 94 studies (n>48 000 individual participant data) in VISTA, 10 (n=10 002 individual participant data) included a pain assessment. Median age was 70.0 years (interquartile range [59.0-77.1]), 5560 (55.6%) were male, baseline stroke severity was National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10 (interquartile range [7-15]). Reports of extreme pain ranged between 3% and 9.5% and were highest beyond 2 years poststroke (31/328 [9.5%]); pain trajectory varied by study. Poorer independence was significantly associated with presence of moderate or extreme pain (5 weeks-3 months odds ratio [OR], 1.5 [95% CI, 1.4-1.6]; 4-6 months OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.3-2.1]; >6 months OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.2-2.0]), and increased severity of pain (5 weeks-3 months: OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1-1.2]; 4-6 months OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.1-1.2]; >6 months, OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1-1.2]), after adjusting for covariates. Anxiety/depression and lower vitality were each associated with pain severity. CONCLUSIONS: Between 3% and 9.5% of participants reported extreme poststroke pain; the presence and severity of pain were independently associated with dependence at each time point. Future studies could determine whether and when interventions may reduce the prevalence and severity of poststroke pain.

Estimating the cost consequence of the early use of botulinum toxin in post-stroke spasticity: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-consequence of treating spasticity early with botulinum toxin in the acute stroke unit. DESIGN: Secondary cost-consequence analysis, using data from a double-blind randomised-controlled trial. SETTING: Single-centre specialised stroke unit. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Patients with Action Research Arm Test grasp-score of <2 and who developed spasticity within six weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9% sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment). MAIN MEASURES: Resource use costs were calculated for the study. Mean contracture costs for each group were calculated. The Barthel Index and Action Research Arm Test were used to generate a cost per unit of improvement. RESULTS: There were no significant differences associated with early treatment use. The mean contracture cost for the treatment group was £817 and for the control group was £2298 (mean difference = -£1481.1(95% CI -£2893.5, -£68.7) (p = 0.04). The cost per unit of improvement for the Barthel Index was -£1240 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective. The cost per unit of improvement for the Action Research Arm Test was -£450 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective. CONCLUSIONS: Treating spasticity early in stroke patients at risk of contractures with botulinum toxin leads to a significant reduction in contracture costs. The cost per improvement of Barthel and Action Research Arm Test indicates that the intervention costs less and is more effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATA: EudraCT(2010-021257-39) and ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier:NCT01882556.

Can the early use of botulinum toxin in post stroke spasticity reduce contracture development? A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Does early treatment of spasticity with botulinum-toxin (BoNTA), in (hyper)acute stroke patients without arm-function, reduce contractures and improve function. DESIGN: Randomised placebo-controlled-trial. SETTING: Specialised stroke-unit. PARTICIPANTS & INTERVENTION: Patients with an Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) grasp-score⩽2 who developed spasticity within six-weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9%sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment). OUTCOME-MEASURES: Spasticity, contractures, splint use and arm function (ARAT) were taken at baseline, 12-weeks post-injection and six-months after stroke. Additionally, spasticity and contractures were measured at weeks-two, four and six post-injection. RESULTS: Ninety three patients were randomised. Mean time to intervention was 18-days (standard deviation = 9.3). Spasticity was lower in the treatment group with difference being significant between week-2 to 12 (elbow) and week-2 to 6 (wrist). Mean-difference (MD) varied between -8.5(95% CI -17 to 0) to -9.4(95% CI -14 to -5) µV.Contracture formation was slower in the treatment group. Passive range of motion was higher in the treatment group and was significant at week-12 (elbow MD6.6 (95% CI -0.7 to -12.6)) and week-6 (wrist MD11.8 (95% CI 3.8 to 19.8)). The use of splints was lower in the treatment group odds ratio was 7.2 (95% CI 1.5 to 34.1) and 4.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 14.0) at week-12 and month-6 respectively.Arm-function was not significantly different between the groups MD2.4 (95% CI -5.3 to 10.1) and 2.9 (95% CI -5.8 to 11.6) at week-12 and month-6 respectively. CONCLUSION: BoNTA reduced spasticity and contractures after stroke and effects lasted for approximately 12-weeks. BoNTA reduced the need for concomitant contracture treatment and did not interfere with recovery of arm function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT (2010-021257-39) and ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier: NCT01882556.

Implications for the design of a Diagnostic Decision Support System (DDSS) to reduce time and cost to diagnosis in paediatric shoulder instability.

BACKGROUND: Currently the diagnosis of shoulder instability, particularly in children, is difficult and can take time. These diagnostic delays can lead to poorer outcome and long-term complications. A Diagnostic Decision Support System (DDSS) has the potential to reduce time to diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients. The aim of this study was to develop a concept map for a future DDSS in shoulder instability. METHODS: A modified nominal focus group technique, involving three clinical vignettes, was used to elicit physiotherapists decision-making processes. RESULTS: Twenty-five physiotherapists, (18F:7 M) from four separate clinical sites participated. The themes identified related to 'Variability in diagnostic processes and lack of standardised practice' and 'Knowledge and attitudes towards novel technologies for facilitating assessment and clinical decision making'. CONCLUSION: No common structured approach towards assessment and diagnosis was identified. Lack of knowledge, perceived usefulness, access and cost were identified as barriers to adoption of new technology. Based on the information elicited a conceptual design of a future DDSS has been proposed. Work to develop a systematic approach to assessment, classification and diagnosis is now proposed. Trial Registraty This was not a clinical trial and so no clinical trial registry is needed.

The ESCAPS study: a feasibility randomized controlled trial of early electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors and flexors to prevent post-stroke complications of pain and contractures in the paretic arm.

OBJECTIVE: To establish feasibility of initiating electrical stimulation treatment of wrist extensors and flexors in patients early after stroke to prevent muscle contractures and pain. DESIGN: Feasibility randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation. SETTING: A specialist stroke unit in Nottinghamshire. SUBJECTS: A total of 40 patients recruited within 72 hours post-stroke with arm hemiparesis. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive usual care or usual care and electrical stimulation to wrist flexors and extensors for 30 minutes, twice a day, five days a week for three months. Initial treatment was delivered by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist who trained participants to self-manage subsequent treatments. MEASURES: Measures of feasibility included recruitment and attrition rates, completion of treatment, and successful data collection. Outcome data on wrist range of motion, pain, arm function, independence, quality of life, and resource use were measured at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-randomization. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants (of 215 potentially eligible) were recruited in 15 months (20 men; mean age: 72 (SD: 13.0)). Half the participants lacked mental capacity and were recruited by consultee consent. Attrition at three-month follow-up was 12.5% (death (n = 2), end-of-life care (n = 2), and unable to contact (n = 1)). Compliance varied (mean: 65 (SD: 53)) and ranged from 10 to 166 treatments per patient (target dosage was 120). Data for a valid economic analysis can be adequately collected. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of electrical stimulation was acceptable and feasible. Data collection methods used were feasible and acceptable to participants. A large definitive study is needed to determine if electrical stimulation is efficacious and cost effective.

Version Reporting and Assessment Approaches for New and Updated Activity and Heart Rate Monitors.

This paper addresses the significant need for improvements in device version reporting and practice across the academic and technical activity monitoring literature, and it recommends assessments for new and updated consumer sensing devices. Reproducibility and data veracity are central to good scholarship, and particularly significant in clinical and health applications. Across the literature there is an absence of device version reporting and a failure to recognize that device validity is not maintained when firmware and software updates can, and do, change device performance and parameter estimation. In this paper, we propose the use of tractable methods to assess devices at their current version and provide an example empirical approach. Experimental results for heart rate and step count acquisitions during walking and everyday living activities from Garmin Vivosmart 3 (v4.10) wristband monitors are presented and analyzed, and the reliability issues of optically-acquired heart rates, especially during periods of activity, are demonstrated and discussed. In conclusion, the paper recommends the empirical assessment of new and updated activity monitors and improvements in device version reporting across the academic and technical literature.

Physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy intervention for patients with refractory chronic cough: a multicentre randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy are emerging non-pharmacological treatments for refractory chronic cough. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy intervention (PSALTI) to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to reduce cough frequency in patients with refractory chronic cough. METHODS: In this multicentre randomised controlled trial, patients with refractory chronic cough were randomised to four weekly 1:1 sessions of either PSALTI consisting of education, laryngeal hygiene and hydration, cough suppression techniques, breathing exercises and psychoeducational counselling or control intervention consisting of healthy lifestyle advice. We assessed the change in HRQoL at week 4 with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Secondary efficacy outcomes included 24-hour objective cough frequency (Leicester Cough Monitor) and cough reflex sensitivity. The primary analysis used an analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline measurements with the intention-to-treat population. This study was registered at UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN ID 10678). FINDINGS: Between December 2011 and April 2014, we randomly assigned 75 participants who underwent baseline assessment (34 PSALTI and 41 controls). In the observed case analysis, HRQoL (LCQ) improved on average by 1.53 (95% CI 0.21 to 2.85) points more in PSALTI group than with control (p=0.024). Cough frequency decreased by 41% (95% CI 36% to 95%) in PSALTI group relative to control (p=0.030). The improvements within the PSALTI group were sustained up to 3 months. There was no significant difference between groups in the concentration of capsaicin causing five or more coughs. INTERPRETATION: Greater improvements in HRQoL and cough frequency were observed with PSALTI intervention. Our findings support the use of PSALTI for patients with refractory chronic cough. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UKCRN ID 10678 and ISRCTN 73039760; Results.

Pharmacological interventions other than botulinum toxin for spasticity after stroke.

BACKGROUND: The long-term risk of stroke increases with age, and stroke is a common cause of disability in the community. Spasticity is considered a significantly disabling impairment that develops in people who have had a stroke. The burden of care is higher in stroke survivors who have spasticity when compared with stroke survivors without spasticity with regard to treatment costs, quality of life, and caregiver burden. OBJECTIVES: To assess if pharmacological interventions for spasticity are more effective than no intervention, normal practice, or control at improving function following stroke. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (May 2016), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2016, Issue 5), MEDLINE (1946 to May 2016), Embase (2008 to May 2016), CINAHL (1982 to May 2016), AMED (1985 to May 2016), and eight further databases and trial registers. In an effort to identify further studies, we undertook handsearches of reference lists and contacted study authors and commercial companies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared any systemically acting or locally acting drug versus placebo, control, or comparative drug with the aim of treating spasticity. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion and extracted the data. We assessed the included studies for both quality and risk of bias. We contacted study authors to request further information when necessary. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven RCTs with a total 403 participants. We found a high risk of bias in all but one RCT. Two of the seven RCTs assessed a systemic drug versus placebo. We pooled data on an indirect measure of spasticity (160 participants) from these two studies but found no significant effect (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21 to 13.07; I2 = 85%). We identified a significant risk of adverse events per participant occurring in the treatment group versus placebo group (risk ratio (RR) 1.65, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.42; 160 participants; I2 = 0%). Only one of these studies used a functional outcome measure, and we found no significant difference between groups.Of the other five studies, two assessed a systemic drug versus another systemic drug, one assessed a systemic drug versus local drug, and the final two assessed a local drug versus another local drug. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The lack of high-quality RCTs limited our ability to make specific conclusions. Evidence is insufficient to determine if systemic antispasmodics are effective at improving function following stroke.

Is the practice of goal-setting for patients in acute stroke care patient-centred and what factors influence this? A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether goal-setting for rehabilitation with acute stroke survivors is patient-centred and identify factors which influence the adoption of patient-centredness in goal-setting practice. SETTING: Acute stroke unit in a large teaching hospital in England. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with stroke who had no cognitive or significant communication problems and health care professionals who had a significant engagement with an individual patient were approached for participation. METHOD: Multiple qualitative methods were used. Perceptions and beliefs about patient-centredness, within the context of goal-setting, were collected from patients and corresponding professionals using qualitative semi-structured interviews. Adoption of patient-centred behaviour was triangulated using analysis of patient records and observation of team meetings related to participating patients. DATA ANALYSIS: Interview transcripts and field notes were coded, clustered under categories and descriptively summarised. Additionally, data from patients' documents were summarised. These summaries were then mapped on to an a-priori frame work of patient-centredness from which further interpretative themes were derived. RESULTS: Seven patients and seven health-care professionals participated. Goal-setting was not consistently patient-centred as evidenced by a) incongruities between patients and professionals in setting, communicating and prioritising of goals and b) dysfunctional therapeutic relationships. The factors that influenced patient-centred goal-setting were both professional and patient beliefs and attributes, work-culture, practice model, limitations in knowledge and systems that disempowered both professionals and patients. CONCLUSION: It may be possible to infer that current local practice of goal-setting was inadequately patient-centred. Further research is required to identify strategies to overcome these challenges and to develop patient-centred goal-setting methods.

The impact of chronic cough: a cross-sectional European survey.

PURPOSE: Studies that investigate the impact of chronic cough have largely focused on patients attending secondary care. Our aim was to investigate the opinions of the wider general population across Europe. METHODS: An internet survey was made available in 12 languages on the European Lung Foundation website, between January 2012 and April 2013. RESULTS: Of 1120 respondents from 29 different European countries, 67 % were female, mean age 51 years (SD 15), median cough duration 2-5 years. The majority of respondents reported cough impacted their quality of life, mood and ability to undertake activities. Despite 72 % of respondents having visited their doctor ≥3 times, only 53 % had received a diagnosis. Asthma was the most common diagnosis (23 %). Most respondents reported limited or no effectiveness of medications. 88 % of respondents reported that they would like more information to be available on chronic cough. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic cough has a negative impact on quality of life. Further work is needed to raise awareness, promote management strategies, develop effective treatments and consider the educational and support needs of patients with chronic cough.

Assistive technologies: can they contribute to rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke?

OBJECTIVE: To systematically identify, review, and explore the evidence for use of assistive technologies (ATs) in poststroke upper limb rehabilitation. DATA SOURCES: AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Compendex, CSA Illumina, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PEDro, PyscINFO, and Web of Science were last searched in September 2011. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent researchers screened for inclusion criteria (adult poststroke subjects, upper limb rehabilitation with an AT). The risk of bias was assessed. Randomized controlled trials of poststroke subjects with baseline equivalence as assessed by blinded assessors were selected for data extraction. DATA EXTRACTION: Details of subjects, experimental and control treatments, and all outcomes were recorded in a spreadsheet. DATA SYNTHESIS: These data were used to calculate effect sizes for all outcome measures. Impairment measures ranged from -.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.14 to .62) to 1.46 (95% CI, .72-2.20). Measures of activity effect sizes were from .04 (95% CI, -.35 to .44) to .93 (95% CI, -.39 to 2.25); for Motor Activity Log, from .07 (95% CI, -.66 to .80) to 1.24 (95% CI, .47-2.01); and for participation, from -3.32 (95% CI, -4.52 to 2.11) to 1.78 (95% CI, 0-3.56). CONCLUSIONS: AT treatments appear to give modest additional benefit when compared with usual care or in addition to usual care. This is most apparent for subjects early poststroke with 2 caveats: high-intensity constraint-induced movement therapy and electrical stimulation exclusively to the shoulder appear detrimental. The heterogeneity of treatment parameters and population characteristics precludes specific recommendations. Research would benefit from modeling studies to explicitly define criteria of population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes for effective treatments before the development of efficiently integrated care pathways.

Validation of general pain scores from multidomain assessment tools in stroke.

Purpose: We describe how well general pain reported in multidomain assessment tools correlated with pain-specific assessment tools; associations between general pain, activities of daily living and independence after stroke. Materials and methods: Analyses of individual participant data (IPD) from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive (VISTA) described correlation coefficients examining (i) direct comparisons of assessments from pain-specific and multidomain assessment tools that included pain, (ii) indirect comparisons of pain assessments with the Barthel Index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and (iii) whether pain identification could be enhanced by accounting for reported usual activities, self-care, mobility and anxiety/depression; factors associated with pain. Results: European Quality of Life 3- and 5-Level (EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L), RAND 36 Item Health Survey 1.0 (SF-36) or the 0-10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were available from 10/94 studies (IPD = 10,002). The 0-10 NPRS was the only available pain-specific assessment tool and was a reference for comparison with other tools. Pearson correlation coefficients between the 0-10 NPRS and (A) the EQ-5D-3L and (B) EQ5D-5 L were r = 0.572 (n = 436) and r = 0.305 (n = 1,134), respectively. mRS was better aligned with pain by EQ-5D-3L (n = 8,966; r = 0.340) than by SF-36 (n = 623; r = 0.318). BI aligned better with pain by SF-36 (n = 623; r = -0.320). Creating a composite score using the EQ-5D 3 L and 5 L comprising pain, mobility, usual-activities, self-care and anxiety/depression did not improve correlation with the 0-10 NPRS. Discussion: The EQ-5D-3L pain domain aligned better than the EQ-5D-5L with the 0-10 NPRS and may inform general pain description where resources and assessment burden hinder use of additional, pain-specific assessments.

A randomized controlled trial of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied early after acute stroke: effects on wrist pain, spasticity and contractures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied early after stroke to the wrist and finger extensor muscles on upper limb pain, spasticity and contractures in patients with no functional arm movement. DESIGN: Secondary analysis from a Phase II, randomized, controlled, single-blind study. SETTING: An acute hospital stroke unit. SUBJECTS: Patients with no useful arm function within six weeks of a first stroke. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to treatment (30-minute sessions of surface neuromuscular stimulation to wrist and finger extensors and 45 minutes of physiotherapy) or control (45 minutes of physiotherapy) groups. All patients had access to routine care. Treatment was given for six weeks from recruitment. RESULTS: Ninety patients (49% male, median age 74 years (range 32-98), median time since stroke onset three weeks (range one to six weeks)) were included. Treatment compliance was variable (mean 28%). The treatment prevented the development of pain (mean difference in rate of change 0.4 units/week, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.6). Treatment may have prevented a deterioration in contractures (quantified by measuring passive range of movement) in severely disabled patients (mean rate of deterioration -0.5 deg/week; 95% CI -0.9 to -0.06). There were no significant changes in stiffness and spasticity. CONCLUSION: Surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduces pain in stroke patients with a non-functional arm. There was some evidence that treatment with electrical stimulation was beneficial in reducing contractures. Treatment had no effect on spasticity.

The physiological impact of upper limb position in prone restraint.

Deaths occurring during and/or in close proximity to physical restraint have been attributed to positional asphyxia. This study investigated the physiological impact of three recognized prone-restraint positions with participants remaining passive. Position 3 (P3) the supported prone position (SPP) was designed to reduce the extent of pressure on the anterior chest wall (PAC) by bringing the upper limbs underneath the shoulder joint whereas for the other two positions (P1 and P2) the arms were abducted from the torso. Twenty-five adults participated. Forced vital capacity (FVC), expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturations (SpO2) were taken three times in an upright seated position (baseline) and in each prone position. Mean PAC was measured at 102.6 (±24.3) and 101.4 (±24.4) mmHg for P1 and P2, respectively; however, in the SPP (P3) the mean PAC pressure reduced to 72.7 (±16.9) mmHg. All three prone-restraint positions reduced FVC and FEV1 compared with baseline (P < 0.001). P1 and P2 where the arms were abducted reduced respiratory measures equally but differed from the SPP position (P < 0.001) where PAC was significantly lower. Reductions in FVC from baseline were 16% for P1 and P2, and 11% for the SPP (P3) where PAC was ∼28% lower than in P1 and P2. Reductions in FEV1 were similar in all three prone-restraint positions and HR and SpO2 were unaffected. In summary, all prone-restraint positions restrict respiratory function but the risk associated with the position reduces as the PAC reduces.

Can surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist and hand combined with routine therapy facilitate recovery of arm function in patients with stroke?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether treatment with surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors improves recovery of arm function in severely disabled patients with stroke. DESIGN: Single blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Acute stroke unit and stroke rehabilitation wards of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with no upper limb function (Action Research Arm Test [ARAT] score 0) (N=90; mean age ± SD, 74±11y; 49% men) were recruited to the study within 6 weeks of stroke. Only 67 participants were alive at the end of the study and data from 66 of these people were analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation using surface electrical stimulators for 30 minutes, twice in a working day for 6 weeks in addition to standardized upper limb therapy or just standardized upper limb therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was the ARAT score. Assessments were made at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after recruitment. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in measures of wrist extensor (mean difference 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-1.0) and grip strength (mean difference 0.9; 95% CI, 0.1-1.7) over the treatment period. Arm function (ARAT score) was not significantly different between the groups over the treatment period at 6 weeks (mean difference 1.9; 95% CI, -2.9 to 6.8) or over the study period at 36 weeks (mean difference 6.4; 95% CI, -1.8 to 14.7), and the rate of recovery was not significantly different (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe stroke, with no functional arm movement, electrical stimulation of wrist extensors improves muscle strength for wrist extension and grip, and larger studies are required to study its influence on arm function.

Study of the therapeutic effects of a hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy: a stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hippotherapy (when applied by a simulator) improves postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial with an independent assessor. Stratification was made by gross motor function classification system levels, and allocation was concealed. SUBJECTS: Children between 4 and 18 years old with cerebral palsy. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to an intervention (simulator ON) or control (simulator OFF) group after getting informed consent. Treatment was provided once a week (15 minutes) for 10 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Gross Motor Function Measure (dimension B for balance and the Total Score) and Sitting Assessment Scale were carried out at baseline (prior to randomization), end of intervention and 12 weeks after completing the intervention. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children participated. The groups were balanced at baseline. Sitting balance (measured by dimension B of the Gross Motor Function Measure) improved significantly in the treatment group (effect size = 0.36; 95% CI 0.01-0.71) and the effect size was greater in the severely disabled group (effect size = 0.80; 95% CI 0.13-1.47). The improvements in sitting balance were not maintained over the follow-up period. Changes in the total score of the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Sitting Assessment Scale were not significant. CONCLUSION: Hippotherapy with a simulator can improve sitting balance in cerebral palsy children who have higher levels of disability. However, this did not lead to a change in the overall function of these children (Gross Motor Function Classification System level V).

A review of the scientific literature related to the adverse impact of physical restraint: gaining a clearer understanding of the physiological factors involved in cases of restraint-related death.

Deaths occurring during and/or in close proximity to physical restraint have been attributed to positional asphyxia, a conclusion primarily based on opinion and reviews of case studies. This review sought to identify the current scientific evidence available in regard to the aetiology of adverse events or death occurring during or in close proximity to physical restraint. A systematic search of electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) for papers published in English, between 1980 and 2011, using keywords that related to restraint, restraint position and cardiovascular function resulted in 11 experimental papers being found for review. The term positional asphyxia as a mechanism for sudden death is poorly understood. The literature shows that restraint position has the ability to impede life-maintaining physiological functions, but that the imposed impediment is not uniform across all restraint positions/techniques. Further research is required to ascertain the risks posed by struggling during restraint for more prolonged periods of time and in different positions using varied techniques of restraint. This research should seek to and rank known or future risk factors of adverse events occurring during restraint, seeking to understand the interactions and if present the cumulative effect of these risk factors. Finally, future research should focus on populations other than apparently healthy male adults.

Early prediction of upper limb functioning after stroke using clinical bedside assessments: a prospective longitudinal study.

Early and accurate prediction of recovery is needed to assist treatment planning and inform patient selection in clinical trials. This study aimed to develop a prediction algorithm using a set of simple early clinical bedside measures to predict upper limb capacity at 3-months post-stroke. A secondary analysis of Stroke Arm Longitudinal Study at Gothenburg University (SALGOT) included 94 adults (mean age 68 years) with upper limb impairment admitted to stroke unit). Cluster analysis was used to define the endpoint outcome strata according to the 3-months Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) scores. Modelling was carried out in a training (70%) and testing set (30%) using traditional logistic regression, random forest models. The final algorithm included 3 simple bedside tests performed 3-days post stroke: ability to grasp, to produce any measurable grip strength and abduct/elevate shoulder. An 86-94% model sensitivity, specificity and accuracy was reached for differentiation between poor, limited and good outcome. Additional measurement of grip strength at 4 weeks post-stroke and haemorrhagic stroke explained the underestimated classifications. External validation of the model is recommended. Simple bedside assessments have advantages over more lengthy and complex assessments and could thereby be integrated into routine clinical practice to aid therapy decisions, guide patient selection in clinical trials and used in data registries.