RESUMO
Background: Additional exercise therapy has been shown to positively affect acute stroke rehabilitation, which requires an effective method to deliver increased exercise. In this study, we designed a 4-week caregiver-supervised self-exercise program with videos, named "Self rehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE)", to improve the functional outcomes and facilitate early recovery by increasing the continuity of rehabilitation therapy after acute stroke. Methods: This study is a non-randomized trial. Eighty-eight patients were included in an intervention group (SAVE group), who received conventional rehabilitation therapies and an additional self-rehabilitation session by watching bedside exercise videos and continued their own exercises in their rooms for 60 min every day for 4 weeks. Ninety-six patients were included in a control group, who received only conventional rehabilitation therapies. After 4 weeks of hospitalization, both groups assessed several outcome measurements, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary of the Short-Form Survey 36 (SF-36), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Differences in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 were more statistically significant in the SAVE group than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the SAVE group showed more significant improvement in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 as compared to that in the control group. Conclusions: This evidence-based SAVE intervention can optimize patient recovery after a subacute stroke while keeping the available resources in mind.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Poor locomotion and balance in Parkinson's disease (PD) often diminishes independence. Accordingly, gait is considered one of the most relevant rehabilitation outcomes, and home-based balance exercises might be a viable mode of exercise delivery for individuals with PD. However, research on PD interventions rarely indicate best practices to deliver exercises. Therefore, this study endeavoured to compare the efficacy of a home-based and therapist-supervised balance programme on gait parameters, dynamic balance, balance confidence and motivation in individuals diagnosed with PD. METHODS: An experimental study design, including a cluster randomized convenience sample, of 40 participants with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I-III; age: 65.0±7.7years). Participants were divided into a therapist-supervised (n=24) and home-based group (n=16). Groups received either eight weeks of balance training with an exercise therapist or a DVD. Outcome measures include the instrumented Timed-Up-and-Go, Functional Gait Analysis (FGA), Activity-specific Balance confidence (ABC) scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). RESULTS: Both groups improved in stride length (p<0.05). Similar FGA improved by 9% and 16% in the therapist-supervised and home-based group, respectively (p<0.01). Only the therapist-supervised group showed improvements in ABC (p=0.051), stride velocity (p=0.0006) and cadence (p=0.046) over the intervention; the latter two were also better compared to home-based (p<0.05). Furthermore the therapist-supervised group were more motivated (p=002). CONCLUSION: The home-based balance programme was effective in improving some aspects of gait, albeit the programme supervised by an exercise therapist included somewhat more benefits after the intervention i.e. stride velocity and cadence in individuals with mild to moderate PD.