The impact of stroke on employment income: A cohort study using hospital and income tax data in Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To document the impact of stroke on employment income among people employed at the time of stroke. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: People hospitalized for stroke in Ontario, Canada (2010-2014) and people without stroke matched on demographic characteristics. MAIN MEASURES: Robust Poisson regression to estimate the effects of stroke on the probability of reporting employment income on tax returns over 3 years. Quantile regression difference-in-differences to estimate the changes in annual employment income attributable to stroke. RESULTS: Stroke survivors were increasingly less likely to report any employment income poststroke, incidence rate ratios (IRR) 0.87 at 1 year (95% confidence intervals [CI]; 0.85-0.88), 0.82 at 2 years (95% CI; 0.81-0.84) and 0.81 at 3 years (95% CI; 0.79-0.82). IRR for reporting at least 50% of prestroke income levels were 0.76 at 1 year (95% CI; 0.75-0.78), 0.75 at 2 years (95% CI; 0.73-0.77) and 0.73 at 3 years (95% CI; 0.71-0.75). IRR for reporting at least 90% of prestroke income levels were 0.72 at 1 year (95% CI; 0.70-0.74), 0.66 at 2 years (95% CI; 0.64-0.68) and again 0.66 at 3 years (95% CI; 0.64-0.68). Relative changes in annual employment income attributable to stroke varied from a decrease of 13.8% (95% CI; 8.7-18.9) at the 75th income percentile to a decrease of 43.1% (95% CI; 18.7-67.6) at the 25th income percentile. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for healthcare and service providers to recognize the impact of stroke on return to prestroke levels of employment income. Low-income stroke survivors experience a more drastic loss in employment income and may need additional social support.

CTC-Race: Single-Cell Motility Assay of Circulating Tumor Cells from Metastatic Lung Cancer Patients.

Distinctive subpopulations of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with increased motility are considered to possess enhanced tumor-initiating potential and contribute to metastasis. Single-cell analysis of the migratory CTCs may increase our understanding of the metastatic process, yet most studies are limited by technical challenges associated with the isolation and characterization of these cells due to their extreme scarcity and heterogeneity. We report a microfluidic method based on CTCs' chemotactic motility, termed as CTC-Race assay, that can analyze migrating CTCs from metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with advanced tumor stages and enable concurrent biophysical and biochemical characterization of them with single-cell resolution. Analyses of motile CTCs in the CTC-Race assay, in synergy with other single cell characterization techniques, could provide insights into cancer metastasis.

Recommendations Related to Visitor and Movement Restrictions in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes in Ontario during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Residents, Families, and Staff.

In Canada, long-term care and retirement home residents have experienced high rates of COVID-19 infection and death. Early efforts to protect residents included restricting all visitors as well as movement inside homes. These restrictions, however, had significant implications for residents' health and well-being. Engaging with those most affected by such restrictions can help us to better understand their experiences and address their needs. In this qualitative study, 43 residents of long-term care or retirement homes, family members and staff were interviewed and offered recommendations related to infection control, communication, social contact and connection, care needs, and policy and planning. The recommendations were examined using an ethical framework, providing potential relevance in policy development for public health crises. Our results highlight the harms of movement and visiting restrictions and call for effective, equitable, and transparent measures. The design of long-term care and retirement policies requires ongoing, meaningful engagement with those most affected.

The Impact of Two Telerehabilitation Supervision Schedules on Physical Activity, Mobility, and Balance Among People with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed-Method Single-Subject Design.

Background: Many individuals who experience a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) have long-term deficits in physical activity, balance, and mobility requiring specialized care. New delivery models are being investigated for interventions to address challenges caused by living in remote communities, difficulties with transportation, and/or physical distancing requirements. Determining the effectiveness of telerehabilitation is critical given the current movement toward remote health care delivery. Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of two teletherapy supervision schedules used to deliver a home-based, intensive exercise programme on 1) physical activity, mobility, balance, participation, and 2) concerns with falling, and satisfaction with life. Methods: A mixed methods approach with alternating single subject design (SSD) and interviews was used. Five individuals who experienced a moderate or severe TBI completed two intensive home-based telerehabilitation programmes. Programmes differed only by supervision schedule - daily or weekly. Impacts on objective and patient-reported outcomes were measured. Results: Four individuals demonstrated clinically significant improvements in physical activity level, balance, and mobility. One individual experienced less concerns with falling after both schedules, while two other individuals showed a trend in that direction after the weekly remote supervision. Important functional gains (i.e., improved balance and decreased fatigue) were also perceived and reported by family partners regardless of supervision schedule. Conclusion: Although the study has limitations, the findings indicate that exercise programmes delivered via telerehabilitation can improve balance and mobility as well as positively affect concerns with falling and physical activity levels for this population. No clear differences were seen between the two telerehabilitation supervision schedules.

Historique : de nombreuses personnes qui sont victimes d'un traumatisme crânien (TC) modéré ou grave ont des déficits à long terme en matière d'activité physique, d'équilibre et de mobilité et doivent recevoir des soins spécialisés. De nouveaux modèles de prestation sont en cours d'étude afin que les interventions relèvent les problèmes liés à la vie en région éloignée, au transport ou à la distanciation physique. Il est essentiel de déterminer l'efficacité de la téléréadaptation en raison du mouvement actuel vers la prestation des soins à distance. Objectif : examiner l'efficacité de deux horaires de supervision de la téléthérapie utilisés pour fournir un programme d'exercice intensif à domicile sur 1) l'activité physique, la mobilité, l'équilibre et la participation et 2) les craintes de chutes et la satisfaction de vivre. Méthodologie : méthodologie mixte faisant appel à une alternance entre la méthodologie individuelle et les entrevues. Cinq personnes qui avaient été victimes d'un TC modéré ou grave ont suivi deux programmes intensifs de téléréadaptation à domicile. Les programmes différaient seulement en fonction de l'horaire de supervision, qui était quotidien ou hebdomadaire. Les chercheurs ont mesuré les répercussions sur les résultats cliniques objectifs et déclarés par les patients. Résultats : quatre personnes ont démontré des améliorations cliniquement significatives au taux d'activité physique, à l'équilibre et à la mobilité. Une personne craignait moins les chutes après les deux programmes tandis que les deux autres ressentaient une tendance dans cette direction après la supervision hebdomadaire à distance. Des gains fonctionnels importants (amélioration de l'équilibre et diminution de la fatigue) étaient également perçus et déclarés par les partenaires familiaux, quel que soit l'horaire de supervision. Conclusion : même si l'étude comporte des limites, les observations indiquent que les programmes d'exercices donnés en téléréadaptation peuvent améliorer l'équilibre et la mobilité et avoir des effets positifs sur les craintes de tomber et les taux d'activité physique dans cette population. Il n'y avait pas de différences évidentes entre les deux horaires de supervision de la téléréadaptation.

Remotely Supervised Exercise Programmes to Improve Balance, Mobility, and Activity Among People with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Description and Feasibility.

Purpose: Further investigation into the feasibility of using videoconferencing and activity tracking devices to provide high-intensity home-based exercise programmes for people with a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is needed to inform clinical implementation and patient adoption. This study aimed to (1) determine if home-based telerehabilitation exercise programmes were feasible for people with a moderate or severe TBI and (2) better understand the lived experience of people with a TBI and their family partners with this programme. Methods: A mixed-methods approach consisting of measures of feasibility and semi-structured interviews was used. Five participants with moderate to severe TBI and their family partners completed two high-intensity home-based exercise programmes delivered remotely by a physiotherapist (i.e., daily and weekly). Results: Telerehabilitation services in home-based settings were feasible for this population. Adherence and engagement were high. Dyads were satisfied with the use of technology to deliver physiotherapy sessions. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation provides a delivery option that allows people with TBI to spend energy on therapy rather than on travelling. A pre-programme training on key components, such as the use of technology, safety precautions, and communication methods, likely improved the overall feasibility. Further research is needed to better understand the effectiveness of such a programme on balance, mobility, and physical activity levels.

Objectif : des recherches plus approfondies s'imposent sur la faisabilité d'utiliser les visioconférences et les dispositifs de suivi des activités pour fournir des programmes d'exercices à domicile à haute intensité aux personnes atteintes d'un traumatisme crânien (TC) modéré à grave qui éclaireront la mise en œuvre clinique et l'adoption par le patient. Cette étude visait à 1) déterminer s'il était faisable d'offrir des programmes d'exercices en téléréadaptation à domicile pour les personnes atteintes d'un TC modéré à grave et 2) mieux comprendre l'expérience vécue des personnes atteintes d'un TC et de leurs partenaires familiaux au sein de ce programme. Méthodologie : les chercheurs ont utilisé une approche mixte composée de mesures de faisabilité et d'entrevues semi-structurées. Cinq participants atteints d'un TC modéré à grave et leurs partenaires familiaux ont effectué deux programmes d'exercices à domicile à haute intensité donnés à distance par un physiothérapeute (quotidiennement et hebdomadairement). Résultats : les services de téléréadaptation à domicile étaient faisables pour cette population. L'adhésion et la participation étaient élevées. Les dyades étaient satisfaites par l'utilisation de la technologie pour la prestation des séances de physiothérapie. Conclusion : la téléréadaptation fournit un mode de prestation qui permet aux personnes atteintes d'un TC à consacrer leur énergie au traitement plutôt qu'aux déplacements. Une formation avant le programme portant sur les principaux éléments, tels que le recours à la technologie, les mesures de précaution et les modes de communication, améliorait probablement la faisabilité globale. D'autres recherches seront réalisées pour mieux comprendre l'efficacité de ce programme sur l'équilibre, la mobilité et les taux d'activité physique.

Shifting the narrative from living at risk to living with risk: validating and pilot-testing a clinical decision support tool: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: When there are safety concerns, healthcare professionals (HCPs) may disregard older adults' wishes to return or remain at home. A paradigm shift is needed for HCPs to move from labelling older adults as living at risk to helping them live with risk. The Living with Risk: Decision Support Tool (LwR:DST) was developed to support older adults and HCPs with difficult decision-making regarding living with risk. The study objectives were to: (1) validate, and (2) pilot-test the LwR:DST in hospital and community settings. METHODS: The study was conducted across Canada during the pandemic. The LwR:DST's content was validated with quantitative and qualitative data by: (1) 71 HCPs from hospital and community settings using the Delphi method, and (2) 17 older adults and caregivers using focus groups. HCPs provided feedback on the LwR:DST's content, format and instruction manual while older adults provided feedback on the LwR:DST's communication step. The revised LwR:DST was pilot-tested by 14 HCPs in one hospital and one community setting, and 17 older adults and caregivers described their experience of HCPs using this approach with them. Descriptive and thematic analysis were performed. RESULTS: The LwR:DST underwent two iterations incorporating qualitative and quantitative data provided by HCPs, older adults and caregivers. The quantitative Delphi method data validated the content and the process of the LwR:DST, while the qualitative data provided practical improvements. The pilot-testing results suggest that using the LwR:DST broadens HCPs' clinical thinking, structures their decision-making, improves their communication and increases their competence and comfort with risk assessment and management. Our findings also suggest that the LwR:DST improves older adults' healthcare experience by feeling heard, understood and involved. CONCLUSIONS: This revised LwR:DST should help HCPs systematically identify frail older adults' risks when they remain at or return home and find acceptable ways to mitigate these risks. The LwR:DST induces a paradigm shift by acknowledging that risks are inherent in everyday living and that risk-taking has positive and negative consequences. The challenges involved in integrating the LwR:DST into practice, i.e., when, how and with whom to use it, will be addressed in future research.

A physiotherapist's perception of their own behavior compared to the perception of their behavior by persons with TBI within the context of telerehabilitation: A self-determination theory perspective.

BACKGROUND: According to Self-Determination Theory, the fulfillment of basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness plays an important role in one's motivation, engagement, and well-being. How a therapist is perceived to support or thwart these needs can impact adherence to treatment, thus influencing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. OBJECTIVES: This alternating single-subject design explores how the physiotherapist self-reports interpersonal behaviors, how the person living with a disability (PwD) perceives the physiotherapist's supportive/thwarting interpersonal behaviors, and how the two align in the context of telerehabilitation. METHODS: Five PwD and their physiotherapist completed two telerehabilitation exercise programs. The PwD completed the Interpersonal Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) to examine how they perceived the physiotherapist interpersonal behaviors. The physiotherapist completed the Interpersonal Behavior Questionnaire-Self (IBQ-Self) to document how they self-reported these same behaviors. Descriptive statistics were used to document self-reports and perceptions of behaviors. RESULTS: Each PwD perceived the physiotherapist as being more supportive than thwarting. The supportive/thwarting behaviors varied across relationships. Greater alignment of the perceptions of therapist and the PwD was observed at the end of the programme when compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: Assessing how therapist support/thwart psychological needs and how these behaviors are perceived by PwD is recommended as it may influence the therapist's behavior and the PwD's adherence to future telerehabilitation exercise programs.

Exemplary post-discharge stroke rehabilitation programs: A multiple case study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify essential aspects of exemplary post-discharge stroke rehabilitation as perceived by patients, care partners, rehabilitation providers, and administrators. DESIGN: We carried out an exploratory qualitative, multiple case study. Stroke network representatives from four regions of the province of Ontario, Canada each nominated one post-discharge rehabilitation program they felt was exemplary. SETTING: The programs included: a mixed home- and clinic-based service; a home-based service; a clinic-based service with a stroke community navigator and; an out-patient clinic-based service. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 32 patients, 16 of their care partners, 23 providers, and 5 administrators. METHODS: We carried out semi-structured qualitative interviews with patients and care partners, focus groups with providers, and semi-structured interviews with administrators. Health records of patient participants were reviewed. Using an interpretivist-informed inductive content analysis, we developed overarching categories and subcategories first for each program and then across programs. RESULTS: Across four regions with differing types of programs, exemplary care was characterized by three essential components: stroke and stroke rehabilitation knowledge, relationship built through personalized respectful care, and a commitment to high quality, person-centered care. CONCLUSION: Exemplary post-discharge care included knowledge regarding identification and treatment of stroke-related impairment, that is, information found in best practice guidelines. However, expertise related to building relationship through providing personalized respectful care, within a mutually supportive, improvement-oriented team was also essential. Additionally, administrators played a crucial role in ensuring continued ability to deliver exemplary care.

Identification of Clinical Measures to Use in a Virtual Concussion Assessment: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace concussions can have a significant impact on workers. The impact of concussion symptoms, combined with challenges associated with clinical environments that are loud, bright, and busy, create barriers to conducting effective in-person assessments. Although the opportunity for remote care in rural communities has long been recognized, the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the transition to virtual assessments and care into the mainstream. With this rapid shift, many clinicians have been completing remote assessments. However, the approaches and measures used in these assessments have not yet been standardized. Furthermore, the psychometric properties of the assessments when completed remotely using videoconference have not yet been documented. OBJECTIVE: Through this mixed methods study, we aim to (1) identify the concussion assessment measures clinicians are currently using in person and are most relevant to the following 5 physical domains: neurological examination (ie, cranial nerve, coordination, motor, and sensory skills), cervical spine, vestibular, oculomotor, and effort assessment; (2) document the psychometric properties of the measures identified; (3) identify measures that appear feasible in a virtual context; and (4) identify practical and technical barriers or challenges, facilitators, and benefits to conducting or engaging in virtual concussion assessments. METHODS: This study will follow a sequential mixed methods design using a survey and Delphi approach, working groups with expert clinicians, and focus groups with experienced clinicians and people living with concussions. Our target sample sizes are 50 clinicians for the Delphi surveys, 4 clinician-participants for the working group, and 5-7 participants for each focus group (roughly 6-10 total groups being planned with at least two groups consisting of people living with concussions). The results from this study will inform the decision regarding the measures that should be included in a virtual assessment tool kit to be tested in a future planned prospective evaluation study. RESULTS: The study is expected to be completed by January 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This mixed methods study will document the clinical measures that are currently used in person and will identify those that are most relevant to assessing the physical domains impacted by concussions. Potential feasibility of using these measures in a virtual context will be explored. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/40446.

The impact of an integrated, interprofessional knowledge translation intervention on access to inpatient rehabilitation for persons with cognitive impairment.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke rehabilitation teams' skills and knowledge in treating persons with cognitive impairment (CI) contribute to their reduced access to inpatient rehabilitation. This study examined stroke inpatient rehabilitation referral acceptance rates for persons with CI before and after the implementation of a multi-faceted integrated knowledge translation (KT) intervention aimed at improving clinicians' skills in a cognitive-strategy based approach, Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP), CO-OP KT. METHODS: CO-OP KT was implemented at five inpatient rehabilitation centres, using an interrupted time series design and data from an electronic referral and database system called E-Stroke. CO-OP KT included a 2-day workshop, 4 months of implementation support, health system support, and a sustainability plan. A mixed effects model was used to model monthly acceptance rates for 12 months prior to the intervention and 6 months post. RESULTS: The dataset was comprised of 2604 pre-intervention referrals and 1354 post. In the mixed effects model, those with CI had a lower pre-intervention acceptance rate than those without. Post-intervention the model showed the acceptance rate for those with CI increased by 8.6% (p = 0.02), whereas those with no CI showed a non-significant increase of less than 1%. CONCLUSIONS: Proportionally more persons with CI gained access to inpatient stroke rehabilitation following an integrated KT intervention.

Lessons learned and functional outcomes following multifaceted team training in a cognitive strategy-based approach to stroke rehabilitation.

AIM: To estimate the impact of a multifaceted knowledge translation intervention on patient rehabilitation outcomes in an inpatient stroke setting. METHODS: Interprofessional stroke rehabilitation teams were trained in Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance as part of the larger knowledge translation study. This study describes a two group (historical control vs. post knowledge translation intervention) nonrandomized study. Patient participants with stroke and cognitive impairment were recruited from five rehabilitation hospitals and completed an assessment battery upon admission to and discharge from rehabilitation and at three follow-up times. Data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Seventeen historical controls and eight postintervention participants were recruited. The effect for time was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the majority of outcomes, but there were no significant group × time effects. Small effect sizes for the group × time interaction were noted on several indicators. CONCLUSION: Few studies report on patient outcomes following a knowledge translation intervention. Small effect sizes were detected on several patient outcomes, despite study limitations. Lessons learned for future patient-level studies within knowledge translation interventions include the importance of monitoring therapist adherence to implementation protocols and ensuring research designs consider the impact on patient recruitment and retention.

Technology for maintaining oral care after stroke: considerations for patient-centered practice.

PURPOSE: Activities of daily living including oral care may be challenging after stroke. Some stroke survivors are not able to complete oral care independently and need assistance from healthcare professionals and care partners. Poor oral hygiene may impact stroke recovery and rehabilitation possibly incurring issues such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and social isolation. The objective of this paper is to outline practical ways to apply oral care technology in daily use for stroke survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the literature on i) stroke-related impairments impacting oral care, ii) oral hygiene dental devices, and iii) technology for oral care education. RESULTS: Oral care activities involve integrated skills in the areas of motivation, energy, planning, body movement and sensation, and mental acuity and health. Post-stroke impairments such as fatigue, hemiparesis, and mental impairments may impact oral care activities. Technology may help survivors and caregivers overcome some barriers. Three types of technologies are available for facilitating post-stroke oral care: i) non-powered tools and adaptations; ii) powered oral care tools, and; iii) electronic aids to guide oral care activities. Particular choices should maximise patient safety and autonomy while ensuring accessibility and comfort during oral care tasks. CONCLUSION: The available device and technologies may help substantially with the accommodations needed for post-stroke oral care, improving the oral health of stroke survivors. Good oral health confers benefit to overall health and well-being and could enhance recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. Nonetheless, more research is necessary to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of technology in stroke contexts.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONOral care may be challenging after stroke due to patient fatigue, hemiparesis, cognitive impairments, and other impaired body functions.Poor oral hygiene may impact stroke recovery and rehabilitation due to risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and social isolation.Powered oral care tools, non-powered tools, and adaptations to non-powered tools are some of the technology available to help overcome post-stroke barriers for oral care.Computer programs and online resources for education and guidance for oral care activities may help improve recommendation uptake and compliance.

The Use of Home-Based Nonimmersive Virtual Reality to Encourage Physical and Cognitive Exercise in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Feasibility Study.

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment are at risk of cognitive and physical decline. Virtual reality (VR) exercise may provide beneficial physical and cognitive exercise. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility and safety of home-based VR exercise and to provide pilot data for physical and cognitive efficacy. Eleven individuals with mild cognitive impairment (seven males/four females, average 78 years old, and average 3 years since diagnosis) performed a 30-min home-based VR exercise program 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The VR platform was successfully installed in participants' homes, and all participants were able to learn the VR program and progress. Participants completed 99% of the prescribed exercise. There were no major adverse events. Most participants enjoyed the VR program and reported physical benefits; fewer reported cognitive benefits. No physical or cognitive outcome measures showed change after 6 weeks. Home-based VR exercise is safe and feasible in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Simultaneous biochemical and functional phenotyping of single circulating tumor cells using ultrahigh throughput and recovery microfluidic devices.

Profiling circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in cancer patients' blood samples is critical to understand the complex and dynamic nature of metastasis. This task is challenged by the fact that CTCs are not only extremely rare in circulation but also highly heterogeneous in their molecular programs and cellular functions. Here we report a combinational approach for the simultaneous biochemical and functional phenotyping of patient-derived CTCs, using an integrated inertial ferrohydrodynamic cell separation (i2FCS) method and a single-cell microfluidic migration assay. This combinatorial approach offers unique capability to profile CTCs on the basis of their surface expression and migratory characteristics. We achieve this using the i2FCS method that successfully processes whole blood samples in a tumor cell marker and size agnostic manner. The i2FCS method enables an ultrahigh blood sample processing throughput of up to 2 × 105 cells s-1 with a blood sample flow rate of 60 mL h-1. Its short processing time (10 minutes for a 10 mL sample), together with a close-to-complete CTC recovery (99.70% recovery rate) and a low WBC contamination (4.07-log depletion rate by removing 99.992% of leukocytes), results in adequate and functional CTCs for subsequent studies in the single-cell migration device. For the first time, we employ this new approach to query CTCs with single-cell resolution in accordance with their expression of phenotypic surface markers and migration properties, revealing the dynamic phenotypes and the existence of a high-motility subpopulation of CTCs in blood samples from metastatic lung cancer patients. This method could be adopted to study the biological and clinical value of invasive CTC phenotypes.

Collaborative Relationship-Focused Occupational Therapy: Evolving Lexicon and Practice.

BACKGROUND.: Client-centred practice has been part of occupational therapists' identity for several decades. However, therapists have begun to question whether the term obstructs critical relational aspects of therapy. PURPOSE.: The purpose of this article is to summarize critiques of the use of the term client-centred and propose an expanded descriptor and a fundamental shift in how occupational therapists engage with individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. KEY ISSUES.: Three themes summarize critiques of how client-centred practice has been envisioned: (a) the language of client-centred, (b) insufficient appreciation of how the therapist affects the relationship, and (c) inadequate consideration of the relational context of occupation. We propose collaborative relationship-focused practice that has key relational elements of being contextually relevant, nuanced, and safe, and promotes rights-based self-determination. CONCLUSION.: We argue that these essential relational elements, along with a focus on occupations, are required to promote occupational participation, equity, and justice.

Label-free inertial-ferrohydrodynamic cell separation with high throughput and resolution.

Rapid and label-free separation of target cells from biological samples provided unique opportunity for disease diagnostics and treatment. However, even with advanced technologies for cell separation, the limited throughput, high cost and low separation resolution still prevented their utility in separating cells with well-defined physical features from a large volume of biological samples. Here we described an ultrahigh-throughput microfluidic technology, termed as inertial-ferrohydrodynamic cell separation (inertial-FCS), that rapidly sorted through over 60 milliliters of samples at a throughput of 100 000 cells per second in a label-free manner, differentiating the cells based on their physical diameter difference with ∼1-2 µm separation resolution. Through the integration of inertial focusing and ferrohydrodynamic separation, we demonstrated that the resulting inertial-FCS devices could separate viable and expandable circulating tumor cells from cancer patients' blood with a high recovery rate and high purity. We also showed that the devices could enrich lymphocytes directly from white blood cells based on their physical morphology without any labeling steps. This label-free method could address the needs of high throughput and high resolution cell separation in circulating tumor cell research and adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy.

Fundamentals of integrated ferrohydrodynamic cell separation in circulating tumor cell isolation.

Methods to separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood samples were intensively researched in order to understand the metastatic process and develop corresponding clinical assays. However current methods faced challenges that stemmed from CTCs' heterogeneity in their biological markers and physical morphologies. To this end, we developed integrated ferrohydrodynamic cell separation (iFCS), a scheme that separated CTCs independent of their surface antigen expression and physical characteristics. iFCS integrated both diamagnetophoresis of CTCs and magnetophoresis of blood cells together via a magnetic liquid medium, ferrofluid, whose magnetization could be tuned by adjusting its magnetic volume concentration. In this paper, we presented the fundamental theory of iFCS and its specific application in CTC separation. Governing equations of iFCS were developed to guide its optimization process. Three critical parameters that affected iFCS's cell separation performance were determined and validated theoretically and experimentally. These parameters included the sample flow rate, the volumetric concentration of magnetic materials in the ferrofluid, and the gradient of the magnetic flux density. We determined these optimized parameters in an iFCS device that led to a high recovery CTC separation in both spiked and clinical samples.

Participation-focused interventions for stroke rehabilitation: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this scoping review are to i) identify adaptive stroke rehabilitation interventions using metacognitive or self-management approaches targeting participation as an outcome; ii) determine the explicit and implicit theories underlying these interventions; and iii) ascertain the elements in each intervention. This review will develop a catalogue of these interventions, improving the understanding of how these interventions work, thereby facilitating efficient development and testing of participation-focused interventions. INTRODUCTION: Stroke rehabilitation interventions can be categorized as those aiming to correct impairment and those seeking participation improvement despite impairment. Impairment-focused interventions include a relatively small number of well-defined elements, generally based on motor learning or other types of learning theory. Participation-focused interventions span a large group of diverse interventions. The underlying theory is typically varied and often implicit, but many of these interventions are based on metacognitive or self-management approaches. An examination of the underlying theory and elements of participation-focused interventions would allow researchers to more effectively advance the science of these approaches. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The review will include published papers describing rehabilitation interventions using metacognitive or self-management approaches to improve participation among adults who have experienced a stroke. METHODS: The search will include JBI Evidence-Based Practice Database, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OTSeeker, and PEDro databases. Studies will be selected according to a three-step process, including i) managing search results and removing duplicates, ii) title and abstract screening, and iii) full text screening. The extracted data will be presented in table form and narrative summary, aligning with the objectives and scope of this review.

Intention to Return to Work after Stroke Following Rehabilitation in Ontario.

BACKGROUND.: Returning to work is important for many people following stroke. An estimate of the prevalence of people intending to return to work post-stroke would be helpful in planning services supporting work reintegration. PURPOSE.: This study examined the prevalence of intention to return to work after discharge among stroke rehabilitation inpatients. METHODS.: We performed secondary analysis of National Rehabilitation Reporting System data for all stroke rehabilitation inpatients across Ontario (2012-2017). Intention to return to work was examined by gender, age, and level of disability. FINDINGS.: Among 25,691 stroke rehabilitation inpatients, 4,668 (18.2%) were employed pre-stroke and 2,039 (43.7%) of them intended to return to work. Intention to return to work was somewhat higher among younger and middle-aged stroke survivors and those with mild disability. IMPLICATIONS.: Providers and planners should be aware that almost half of previously employed stroke-rehabilitation inpatients may be seeking services to assist with return to work.

Influence of low income on return to participation following stroke.

Purpose: Low income is known to influence participation post stroke, but the process by which this occurs is poorly understood.Methods: A qualitative multiple case study approach, focusing on the experience of returning to participation in personal projects among eight low-income francophone stroke survivors living in eastern Ontario (Canada). Data included semi-structured interviews with the stroke survivors and with their care partners, participant observations, assessment measures, and chart reviews.Results: Healthcare professionals inconsistently gave the stroke survivors needed information and assistance to access entitlements during discharge planning. Income support programs were difficult to access and once obtained, were not completely adequate to support essential necessities (food, medication) in addition to other goods and services related to valued activities. Housing was an important monthly expense that limited available monies for personal projects. Only in instances where participants were assisted with housing by informal networks were there adequate funds to pursue personal projects.Conclusion: This case study demonstrated that even in a universal healthcare system, post-stroke participation for those with low incomes was severely restricted. Changes at the clinical level and at the public policy level could facilitate participation.Implications for rehabilitationIncome influenced the experience of return to participation for the low-income stroke survivors by limiting their ability to afford housing, goods, and services.The macro environment, which regulates the healthcare and social service systems, was the strongest influence on return to participation for low income stroke survivors.Findings point to actions at the clinical and policy levels to help address this inequity.