Home-based self-management for sedentary individuals with mild walking disability after stroke: protocol for a randomised pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A Phase I study showed that it is feasible to implement a home-based self-management program aimed at increasing physical activity in individuals after stroke with mild walking disability in Brazil. The next step is to test this program against a control group in order to provide a power analysis for a fully-powered Phase III clinical trial. METHODS: A Phase II pilot randomised clinical trial with concealed allocation, blinded measurement, and intention-to-treat analyses will be carried out. The inclusion criteria will be individuals diagnosed with stroke, in the acute or subacute phase, with mild walking disability, sedentary, and no significant language impairment. The participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive six sessions of a home-based self-management program based on behaviour change techniques through the Social-Cognitive Theory and Control Theory over 11 weeks. The control group will receive one session of education about stroke (regarding the importance of practising physical activity after a stroke) and usual care. A total of 24 participants will be recruited. The primary outcome will be physical activity, measured through steps taken per day by an activity monitor (Actigraph wGT3X-BT, Pensacola, FL, USA). The mean of daily steps will be analysed to compare groups after intervention. Secondary outcomes will be cardiovascular risk (body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), walking ability (6-Minute Walk Test and 10-Meter Walk Test), exercise self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale), social participation (Stroke Impact Scale) and quality of life (EuroQual-5D). Two-way analyses of variance will be implemented for all parametric outcomes, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric outcomes will be used to determine the statistical significance of the between-group differences and reported as mean differences between groups (95% CI). All analyses will be conducted intention-to-treat. All outcomes will be measured at baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 12), and follow-up (Week 24). This pilot clinical trial was registered online at Clinical Trials under number NCT05461976 on 4th April 2022. DISCUSSION: If beneficial, this Phase II pilot randomised trial will provide data to plan a fully powered future Phase III clinical trial aimed at verifying the efficacy of this program to promote physical activity after stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT05461976 on 4th April 2022.

Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study.

The objective of this study was to examine the difference in sensory-motor impairments (i.e., balance, contracture, coordination, strength, spasticity, and sensation) between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. An observational study measured both lower limbs of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy over one session. Six sensory-motor impairments (balance, coordination, strength, spasticity, contracture, and proprioception) were measured. The between-leg differences were analyzed using the paired t-tests and presented as the mean differences (95% confidence interval (CI)). Twenty-four participants aged 10.3 years (standard deviation: 1.3) participated. The affected leg was less than the less-affected leg in terms of the strength of dorsiflexors (mean difference (MD) -2.8 Nm, 95% CI -4.2 to -1.4), plantarflexors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI -4.1 to -1.0), knee extensors (MD -5.3 Nm, 95% CI -10.2 to -0.5) as well as range of ankle dorsiflexion (MD -8 deg, 95% CI -13 to -3), and balance (median difference -11.1, 95% CI -11.6 to -10.6). There was a trend toward a difference in terms of the strength of hip abductors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI -5.3 to 0.1) and coordination (MD -0.20 taps/s, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.01). The legs were similar in terms of the strength of hip extensors (MD 0.3 Nm, 95% CI -4.7 to 5.3), proprioception (MD 1 deg, 95% CI 0 to 2), and spasticity (median difference 0, 95% CI 0 to 0). Examination of the difference in sensory-motor impairments between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy has given us some insights into the deficits in both legs. Not only was balance, strength, and coordination decreased compared with the less-affected leg but also the less-affected leg was markedly decreased compared with typically developing children. Therefore, an intervention aimed at increasing muscle strength and coordination in both legs might have a positive effect, particularly on more challenging physical activities. This may, in turn, lead to successful participation in mainstream sport and recreation.

Upper limb practice with a dynamic hand orthosis to improve arm and hand function in people after stroke: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic hand orthosis may help upper limb recovery by keeping the wrist and hand in an optimal position while executing a grasp. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility of combining a dynamic hand orthosis with task-oriented upper limb practice after stroke. METHOD: Fifteen adult stroke survivors were recruited in a single-group, pre-post intervention study. They received 12 weeks of task-oriented upper limb training with a dynamic hand orthosis with 3 weeks supervised at a community rehabilitation unit followed by 9 weeks unsupervised at home. Feasibility was determined by recruitment (proportion of eligible/enrolled and enrolled/retained participants), intervention (adherence, acceptability, and safety) and measurement (time taken to collect outcomes and proportion of participants where all measures were collected). Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline (Week 0), end of Week 3 and Week 12. RESULTS: Fifteen (46%) of eligible volunteers were enrolled in the study. Eight (53%) of those enrolled completed the 12-week intervention. Eighty eight percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the dynamic hand orthosis. Clinical measures were collected for all participants at baseline and in all those who completed the intervention but often took over one hour to complete. At 12 weeks, participants had improved by 7 points out of 57 (95% CI 2 to 13) on the ARAT and by 8 points out of 66 (95% CI 0 to 15) on the FMA-UE. CONCLUSION: The intervention appears to be feasible in terms of acceptability and safety, while recruitment and measurement need further consideration. The magnitude of the clinical outcomes suggests that the intervention has a potential to improve both upper limb activity and impairment, and this study provides useful information for the design of a pilot randomized trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03396939.

Relative contribution of sensory and motor impairments to mobility limitations in children with cerebral palsy: an observational study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contribution of sensory and motor impairments to mobility limitations in cerebral palsy. An observational study was carried out in 83 children with all types of cerebral palsy with a mean age of 10.8 years (SD 1.2). Five impairments (coordination, strength, spasticity, contracture, proprioception) and three aspects of mobility (standing up from a chair, short and long distance walking) were measured. Standard multiple regression was used to determine the relative contribution of impairments to mobility as well as the relative contribution of strength of individual muscle groups (dorsiflexors, plantarflexors, knee extensors, hip abductors and hip extensors) to mobility. Five impairments accounted for 48% of the variance in overall mobility (p < 0.001): coordination independently accounted for 9%, contracture for 4% and strength for 3% of the variance. Five muscle groups accounted for 53% of the variance in overall mobility (p < 0.001): hip extensors independently accounted for 9%, knee extensors for 4%, dorsiflexors for 4% and plantarflexors for 3% of the variance. Our findings demonstrate that the impairments making a significant independent contribution to mobility in pre-adolescent cerebral palsy were loss of coordination, loss of strength and contracture.

People with mild Parkinson's disease have impaired force production in upper limb muscles: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There has been little examination of force production of the upper limb in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), despite its impact on activities of daily living and clear evidence that force production is significantly reduced in lower limb muscle groups. The aim of this study was to determine the force production of the major muscle groups of the upper limb in people with PD during the "on" phase after medication, compared with aged-matched neurologically-normal controls. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty people with mild PD (Hoehn Yahr mean 1.1) and 24 age-matched neurologically-normal controls. OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximum isometric force production of the shoulder flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, internal rotators and external rotators, elbow flexors and extensors, wrist flexors and extensors and hand grip using dynamometry. RESULTS: There was a significant impairment in force production in all upper limb muscle groups, compared with control participants, except in the wrist flexors. On average the deficit in force production was 22%, despite people with PD having mild disease, being physically active and being measured during the "on" phase of medication. The most severely affected muscle groups were the upper limb extensors. CONCLUSION: People with PD have a significant deficit in force production of the upper limb muscle groups compared with age-matched neurologically normal controls. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Regular assessment of strength of the upper limb should be considered by clinicians and strengthening interventions could be implemented if a deficit is identified.

Self-management to promote physical activity after discharge from in-patient stroke rehabilitation: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of a self-management program aimed at increasing physical activity in community-dwelling ambulators after stroke in a middle-income country with high income inequality. METHODS: A Phase 1, pre-post intervention study was conducted with 20 sub-acute stroke participants. The self-management program was delivered in six home-based sessions over 3 months. Feasibility of recruitment, intervention, and measurement was determined. Physical activity, cardiovascular risk, depression, walking speed, self-efficacy for exercise, participation, and quality of life were measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: 16% of eligible participants were recruited. 90% completed the program and were measured at 3 months, and 65% at 6 months. The most common reasons for withdrawal were return to work, lack of interest/motivation and surgery. 92% of the sessions were delivered for 59 (SD 23) minutes per session. Participants did not increase physical activity at 3 months (MD 364 steps/day, 95% CI -282 to 1010) or 6 months (MD 312 steps/day, 95% CI -881 to 1504). Post-hoc analysis showed that sedentary participants increased their step count at 3 months by 1,300 (95% CI 152 to 2447) and at 6 months by 1,701 (95% CI -556 to 3959) more steps than non-sedentary participants. CONCLUSIONS: A Phase 2 study of the self-management program appears to be feasible in a middle-income country with high income inequality and has the potential to increase physical activity levels in sedentary individuals with mild disability after stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-6bdmsk.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope in community-dwelling ambulant stroke survivors during walking and stair climbing: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen uptake efficiency slope during submaximal tests has been proposed as a more appropriate measure of aerobic capacity after suffering a stroke, since some individuals cannot tolerate maximal exercise testing. However, it has not yet been investigated whether the oxygen uptake efficiency slope is able to differentiate between healthy individuals and those who have suffered a stroke. OBJECTIVES: To compare the oxygen uptake efficiency slope during walking and stair climbing between stroke survivors and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which 18 individuals who had suffered a stroke (stroke survivors) and 18 healthy controls matched for sex and age were included. Oxygen consumption and minute ventilation were collected breath-by-breath during walking (6-min Walk Test) and stair climbing. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope was estimated by the slope of the line obtained through linear regression. RESULTS: The stroke survivors had a lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope during the 6-min Walk Test than the healthy controls (MD 498, 95% CI 122 to 873, p = .01). The between-group difference for the Stair Test was smaller and not statistically significant (MD 349, 95%CI -73 to 772, p = .10). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke survivors had lower oxygen uptake efficiency slope during the performance of the 6-min Walk Test when compared to sex- and age-matched healthy controls. This suggests that stroke survivors have worse cardiopulmonary capacity.

The safety and accuracy of home-based ballistic resistance training for people with neurological conditions.

AIM: In the past 5-10 years, there has been a growing number of studies implementing ballistic (i.e. fast) resistance training to improve walking. The aim of this study was to determine whether people with neurological conditions could perform ballistic exercises safely and accurately in their home environment. DESIGN: An observational study of 24 adults with a neurological condition (i.e. stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and neurosurgical) that limited mobility was carried out. Participants were supervised during seven ballistic exercises over six home-based sessions across three weeks. Safety was determined as the ability to perform the exercise independently. Accuracy was determined as the ability to perform the exercise on pre-determined criteria. RESULTS: The majority of participants had sustained a traumatic brain injury (n = 13) or stroke (n = 9) with a mean age of 38.3 (SD 15.3, range 17-68) years. The mean walking speed was 1.11 (SD 0.29, range 0.53-1.56) m/s. In terms of safety, participants performed the exercises safely 88% of the time, and accurately 49% of the time. Safe completion of each individual exercise ranged initially from 46% to 100% for participants, but accuracy was lower ranging from 17% to 58%. Threshold self-selected walking speeds for optimal sensitivity and specificity for safety ranged from 0.86 to 1.17 m/s and for accuracy ranged from 0.97 to 1.23 m/s. CONCLUSION: Most of the home-based ballistic resistance exercises were safe, but accuracy was low for several of the ballistic resistance exercises. Higher self-selected walking speeds were associated with more accurate performance.

Ballistic resistance training has a similar or better effect on mobility than non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation in people with a traumatic brain injury: a randomised trial.

QUESTIONS: In people recovering from traumatic brain injury, is a 3-month ballistic resistance training program targeting three lower limb muscle groups more effective than non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation for improving mobility, strength and balance? Does improved mobility translate to better health-related quality of life? DESIGN: A prospective, multicentre, randomised trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded measurement. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 144 people with a neurological movement disorder affecting mobility as a result of traumatic brain injury. INTERVENTION: For 3 months, the experimental group had three 60-minute sessions of non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation per week replaced by ballistic resistance training. The control group had non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation of equivalent time. The non-ballistic exercise rehabilitation consisted of balance exercises, lower limb stretching, conventional strengthening exercises, cardiovascular fitness training and gait training. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was mobility measured using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT). Secondary outcomes were walking speed, strength, balance and quality of life. They were measured at baseline (0 months), after completion of the 3-month intervention (3 months) and 3 months after cessation of intervention (6 months). RESULTS: After 3 months of ballistic resistance training, the experimental group scored 3 points (95% CI 0 to 6) higher on the 54-point HiMAT than the control group and remained 3 points (95% CI -1 to 6) higher at 6 months. Although there was a transient decrement in balance at 3 months in the experimental group, the interventions had similar effects on all secondary outcomes by 6 months. Participants with a baseline HiMAT < 27 gained greater benefit from ballistic training: 6 points (1 to 10) on the HiMAT. CONCLUSION: This randomised trial shows that ballistic resistance training has a similar or better effect on mobility than non-ballistic training in people with traumatic brain injury. It may be better targeted towards those with more severe mobility limitations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12611001098921.

Long-term effect of additional rehabilitation following botulinum toxin-A on upper limb activity in chronic stroke: the InTENSE randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: It is common for people with persistent spasticity due to a stroke to receive an injection of botulinum toxin-A in the upper limb, however post-injection intervention varies. AIM: To determine the long-term effect of additional upper limb rehabilitation following botulinum toxin-A in chronic stroke. METHOD: An analysis of long-term outcomes from national, multicenter, Phase III randomised trial with concealed allocation, blinded measurement and intention-to-treat analysis was carried out. Participants were 140 stroke survivors who were scheduled to receive botulinum toxin-A in any muscle(s) that cross the wrist because of moderate to severe spasticity after a stroke greater than 3 months ago, who had completed formal rehabilitation and had no significant cognitive impairment. Experimental group received botulinum toxin-A plus 3 months of evidence-based movement training while the control group received botulinum toxin-A plus a handout of exercises. Primary outcomes were goal attainment (Goal Attainment Scale) and upper limb activity (Box and Block Test) at 12 months (ie, 9 months beyond the intervention). Secondary outcomes were spasticity, range of motion, strength, pain, burden of care, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: By 12 months, the experimental group scored the same as the control group on the Goal Attainment Scale (MD 0 T-score, 95% CI -5 to 5) and on the Box and Block Test (MD 0.01 blocks/s, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.03). There were no differences between groups on any secondary outcome. CONCLUSION: Additional intensive upper limb rehabilitation following botulinum toxin-A in chronic stroke survivors with a disabled upper limb is not more effective in the long-term. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12615000616572 (12/06/2015).

Upper Limb Training with a Dynamic Hand Orthosis in Early Subacute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of the addition of a dynamic hand orthosis to unilateral task-oriented training in early subacute stroke. DESIGN: Pilot randomized trial with concealed allocation, measurer blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty subacute stroke patients with moderate-to-severe upper limb disability. INTERVENTION: All participants received 4 weeks (60 min per day, 5 days a week) of unilateral task-oriented training. The experimental group (n = 15) wore a dynamic hand orthosis during half of the training time (i.e. 30 min per day). OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the upper limb activity measured using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) measured at baseline and 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes were the Nine-hole Peg Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity, grip strength, modified Ashworth Scale, Barthel Index and EuroQol-5D. RESULTS: No difference between groups was found for the primary outcome ARAT (mean difference 4/57, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -5 to 13) nor for any secondary outcome. CONCLUSION: No additional benefit was found of wearing a dynamic hand orthosis during unilateral taskoriented training in the early subacute period.

Stroke survivors' perceptions of the factors that influence engagement in activity outside dedicated therapy sessions in a rehabilitation unit: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate stroke survivors' perceptions of factors influencing their engagement in activity outside of dedicated therapy sessions during inpatient rehabilitation. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Four metropolitan rehabilitation units in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: People undertaking inpatient rehabilitation after stroke. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews conducted in person by a speech pathologist A stepped iterative process of inductive analysis was employed until data saturation was achieved with themes then applied against the three domains of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (perceived behavioural control, social norms and attitude). RESULTS: Interviews of 33 stroke survivors (60% female, median age of 73 years) revealed five themes (i) uncertainty about how to navigate and what was available for use in the rehabilitation unit restricts activity and (ii) post-stroke mobility, fatigue and pre- and post-stroke communication impairments restrict activity (perceived behavioural control); (iii) unit set up, rules (perceived and actual) and staff expectations influence activity and (iv) visiting family and friends are strong facilitators of activity (social norms), and (v) personal preferences and mood influence level of activity (attitude). CONCLUSION: At the individual level, stroke survivors perceived that their ability to be active outside of dedicated therapy sessions was influenced by their impairments, including mood, and their attitude towards and preference for activity. At the ward level, stroke survivors perceived that their ability to be active was influenced by ward set-up, rules and staff expectations. Visitors were perceived to be important facilitators of activity outside of therapy sessions.

IMproving Physical ACtivity after stroke via Treadmill training (IMPACT) and self-management: A randomized trial.

AIM: To determine if treadmill training embedded in self-management education commencing during stroke inpatient rehabilitation results in more physical activity than usual gait training. METHOD: A prospective, parallel-group, randomized trial with concealed allocation, blinded measurement, and intention-to-treat analysis involving 119 stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation who were able to walk independently was undertaken. The experimental group undertook treadmill training (40-60% heart rate reserve) and self-management education for 30 min, three times a week for 8 weeks, and the control group undertook the same amount of usual gait training. Outcomes were measured at baseline (Week 0), on completion of the intervention (Week 8), and beyond the intervention (Week 26). The primary outcome was physical activity measured as steps/day using an activity monitor. Secondary outcomes were walking ability, cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular risk, depression, self-efficacy, perception of physical activity, participation, and quality of life. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the experimental group took 1436 more steps/day (95% confidence interval (CI) = 229 to 2643) than the control group. By 6 months, they took 871 more steps/day (95% CI -385 to 2129) than the control group. There was no difference between groups in any other outcome. CONCLUSION: In individuals undergoing rehabilitation after stroke, 8 weeks of treadmill training embedded in self-management resulted in more physical activity than usual gait training and this was largely maintained at 6 months, despite little effect on walking or cardiorespiratory fitness, suggesting the self-management was responsible.

Oxygen pulse best predicts energy expenditure during stair ascent and descent in individuals with chronic stroke.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether minute ventilation-to-carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2), oxygen pulse (VO2/HR), and rate pressure product (RPP: VO2 * HR/1000) can explain energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent and whether energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent can discriminate between walking abilities in individuals with chronic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Regression analysis of cross-sectional data from 50 individuals between 1 and 4 years post-stroke was carried out to investigate the prediction of energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent. In addition, discriminant analysis was carried out to investigate the discrimination between walking abilities for energy expenditure: community (walking speed ≥ 0.8 m/s) and non-community (walking speed < 0.8 m/s) walkers. RESULTS: Oxygen pulse and rate pressure product were retained in the model. Oxygen pulse alone explained 70% of the variance in energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent. By adding rate pressure product, 79% of the variance was explained. Energy expenditure was able to discriminate the community from the non-community walkers, with a cutoff value of 13.8 ml∙kg-1∙min-1 and correctly classified 62% of the non-community and 78% of the community walkers. CONCLUSION: Oxygen pulse and rate pressure product significantly predicted energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent in individuals with chronic stroke. Energy expenditure during stair ascent/descent discriminated community from non-community walkers.

Impairments, and physical design and culture of a rehabilitation unit influence stroke survivor activity: qualitative analysis of rehabilitation staff perceptions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate rehabilitation staff perceptions of factors influencing stroke survivor activity outside of dedicated therapy time for the purpose of supporting successful translation of activity promoting interventions in a rehabilitation unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Purposive sampling of multi-disciplinary teams from four rehabilitation units was performed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone, digitally audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. A stepped iterative process of thematic analysis was employed until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: All but one of the 22 participants were female, the majority were either physiotherapists or occupational therapists, with a median of 4 years (interquartile range, 2-10) working at their respective rehabilitation units. Analysis of the data revealed three themes: (i) stroke survivor characteristics influence their activity outside therapy, (ii) the rehabilitation environment influences physical, cognitive, and social activity, and (iii) institutional priorities, staff culture, and attitude can be barriers to activity. Rehabilitation units were perceived to be unstimulating, and visitors considered enablers of activity when resources were perceived to be scarce. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest careful consideration of the involvement of visitors, an individual's needs and preferences, and the institution's priorities and staff attitude may result in greater stroke survivor activity during rehabilitation.Implications for rehabilitationStaff should consider stroke survivor impairments and a rehabilitation unit's institutional priorities and staff attitudes when aiming to enhance stroke survivor engagement in activity.The physical and social environment of a rehabilitation unit can be optimised by rehabilitation staff to promote activity.Utilisation of visitors of stroke survivors on a rehabilitation unit may be one way to enhance engagement in activity.Discussion within the rehabilitation team concerning "ownership" of the role of supporting stroke survivor activity outside of structured therapy time may support better engagement in same.

Canes may not improve spatiotemporal parameters of walking after stroke: a systematic review of cross-sectional within-group experimental studies.

PURPOSE: To examine whether using a cane would improve spatiotemporal parameters of walking, i.e., speed, stride length, cadence, and symmetry after stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searches were conducted in eight databases. The experimental condition was walking with a cane. Four outcomes were of interest: walking speed, stride length, cadence, and symmetry. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. Results from nine studies suggested that individuals with stroke walked 0.01 m/s (SD 0.06) slower with a single-point cane, compared with no cane. Two studies suggested a reduction in cadence (MD-5 steps/min, SD2) and an increase in stride length (MD 0.08 m, SD 0.01). Three studies suggested that individuals walked 0.06 m/s (SD 0.07) slower with a four-point cane, compared with no cane. Four studies suggested that individuals walked 0.06 m/s (SD 0.04) faster with a single- point cane compared with a four-point cane. Results regarding other outcomes were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed no worthwhile improvements in spatiotemporal parameters of walking with a single-point cane and a slight reduction with a four-point cane, compared with no cane. Individuals walked slightly faster with a single-point cane compared with a four-point cane, but the evidence is insufficient to support this superiority.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA single-point cane may not improve spatiotemporal parameters of walking after stroke.Walking with a four-point cane may slightly decrease spatiotemporal parameters of walking.Canes may be prescribed without the fear of negatively impairing walking kinematics.

Altering the rehabilitation environment to improve stroke survivor activity: A Phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: Environmental enrichment involves organization of the environment and provision of equipment to facilitate engagement in physical, cognitive, and social activities. In animals with stroke, it promotes brain plasticity and recovery. AIMS: To assess the feasibility and safety of a patient-driven model of environmental enrichment incorporating access to communal and individual environmental enrichment. METHODS: A nonrandomized cluster trial with blinded measurement involving people with stroke (n = 193) in four rehabilitation units was carried out. Feasibility was operationalized as activity 10 days after admission to rehabilitation and availability of environmental enrichment. Safety was measured as falls and serious adverse events. Benefit was measured as clinical outcomes at three months, by an assessor blinded to group. RESULTS: The experimental group (n = 91) spent 7% (95% CI -14 to 0) less time inactive, 9% (95% CI 0-19) more time physically, and 6% (95% CI 2-10) more time socially active than the control group (n = 102). Communal environmental enrichment was available 100% of the time, but individual environmental enrichment was rarely within reach (24%) or sight (39%). There were no between-group differences in serious adverse events or falls at discharge or three months or in clinical outcomes at three months. CONCLUSIONS: This patient-driven model of environmental enrichment was feasible and safe. However, the very modest increase in activity by people with stroke, and the lack of benefit in clinical outcomes three months after stroke do not provide justification for an efficacy trial.

High-intensity treadmill training and self-management for stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity undertaken by stroke survivors is generally low. This trial investigated the feasibility of delivering a high-intensity treadmill and self-management program to people with stroke undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and determine whether physical activity, walking ability and cardiorespiratory fitness could be increased. METHOD: A phase I, single-group, pre-post intervention study was conducted with stroke survivors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation who could walk. Participants undertook a high-intensity treadmill and self-management program for up to 30 min, three times a week for 8 weeks under the supervision of their usual physiotherapist. Feasibility was determined by examining compliance, satisfaction and adverse events. Clinical outcomes were amount of physical activity, walking ability, and cardiorespiratory fitness collected pre-training (week 0), post-training (week 8), and at follow-up (week 26). RESULTS: Forty stroke survivors participated, completing 10 (SD 6) sessions, 94% at the specified training intensity, with high satisfaction and no adverse events related to the intervention. At week 8, participants completed 2749 steps/day (95% CI 933 to 4564) more physical activity than at week 0. Walking distance increased by 110 m (95% CI 23 to 196), walking speed by 0.24 m/s (95% CI 0.05 to 0.42), and VO2 peak by 0.29 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.03 to 0.56). At week 26, increases in physical activity, walking distance and speed, and cardiorespiratory fitness were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: A high-intensity treadmill training program embedded within a self-management approach during inpatient rehabilitation appears feasible and potentially may offer sustained improvements in physical activity, walking ability, fitness, and quality of life. A randomised trial is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This feasibility study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12613000764730 ).

The Relationship Between Strength of the Affected Leg and Walking Speed After Stroke Varies According to the Level of Walking Disability: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this review were to determine the relationship between muscle strength of the affected leg and walking speed after stroke and whether this relationship varied according to muscle group or level of walking disability. METHODS: This systematic review with meta-analysis focused on observational studies of adult survivors of stroke. Muscle strength had to be measured as maximum voluntary force production during an isometric contraction of the affected leg. Walking had to be measured as walking speed. Studies had to report correlations between muscle strength and walking speed. RESULTS: Thirty studies involving 1001 participants were included. Pooled mean correlations between muscle strength of the affected leg and walking speed was 0.51 (95% CI = 0.45 to 0.57). Pooled correlations between the strength of individual muscle groups and walking speed ranged from 0.42 (for the hip abductors) to 0.57 (for the ankle dorsiflexors). The correlation between level of walking disability and the mean correlation between muscle strength and walking speed was -0.70 (95% CI = -0.42 to -0.86). CONCLUSION: After stroke, there is a strong relationship between strength of the affected leg and walking speed, with little variability across individual muscle groups. However, the level of walking disability of people with stroke does make a difference such that the more disabled people are, the stronger the relationship is between strength of the affected leg and walking speed. IMPACT: This study suggests that the strength of all muscles of the affected leg is important for walking after stroke. It appears that increasing strength in the affected leg could be most important in people who are more disabled. LAY SUMMARY: After stroke, the speed at which a person can walk is highly associated with the muscle strength of their affected leg. In people whose walking speed is severely affected, this association is stronger, and the physical therapist might focus on strengthening that leg so the individual can walk faster.