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1.
Postgrad Med J ; 99(1170): 333-339, 2023 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37227968

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between international normalised ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT) levels on hospital admission and in-hospital outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients. METHODS: A total of 3175 AIS patients enrolled from December 2013 to May 2014 across 22 hospitals in Suzhou city were included. We divided patients into four groups according to their level of admission INR: (<0.92), Q2 (0.92-0.98), Q3 (0.98-1.04) and Q4 (≥1.04) and PT. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of INR and PT on death or major disability (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS)>3), death and major disability (mRS scores 4-5) separately on discharge in AIS patients. RESULTS: Having an INR level in the highest quartile (Q4) was associated with an increased risk of death or major disability (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.23 to 2.31; P-trend = 0.001), death (OR, 2.64; 95% CI 1.12 to 6.19; P-trend = 0.002) and major disability on discharge (OR, 1.56; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.15; P-trend = 0.008) in comparison to Q1 after adjusting for potential covariates. Moreover, in multivariable logistic regression models, having a PT level in the highest quartile also significantly increased the risk of death (OR, 2.38; 95% CI 1.06 to 5.32; P-trend = 0.006) but not death or major disability (P-trend = 0.240), major disability (P-trend = 0.606) on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: High INR at admission was independently associated with death or major disability, death and major disability at hospital discharge in AIS patients and increased PT was also associated with death at hospital discharge.


Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Humans , Prognosis , Prothrombin Time , International Normalized Ratio , Stroke/complications , Brain Ischemia/complications , East Asian People
2.
Postgrad Med J ; 2022 Jan 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37076768

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between international normalised ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT) levels on hospital admission and in-hospital outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients. METHODS: A total of 3175 AIS patients enrolled from December 2013 to May 2014 across 22 hospitals in Suzhou city were included. We divided patients into four groups according to their level of admission INR: (<0.92), Q2 (0.92-0.98), Q3 (0.98-1.04) and Q4 (≥1.04) and PT. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of INR and PT on death or major disability (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS)>3), death and major disability (mRS scores 4-5) separately on discharge in AIS patients. RESULTS: Having an INR level in the highest quartile (Q4) was associated with an increased risk of death or major disability (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.23 to 2.31; P-trend = 0.001), death (OR, 2.64; 95% CI 1.12 to 6.19; P-trend = 0.002) and major disability on discharge (OR, 1.56; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.15; P-trend = 0.008) in comparison to Q1 after adjusting for potential covariates. Moreover, in multivariable logistic regression models, having a PT level in the highest quartile also significantly increased the risk of death (OR, 2.38; 95% CI 1.06 to 5.32; P-trend = 0.006) but not death or major disability (P-trend = 0.240), major disability (P-trend = 0.606) on discharge. CONCLUSIONS: High INR at admission was independently associated with death or major disability, death and major disability at hospital discharge in AIS patients and increased PT was also associated with death at hospital discharge.

3.
Postgrad Med J ; 2022 Sep 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37130819

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and ischaemic stroke is less known. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between OSAS and silent brain infarcts (SBI). METHODS: Patients who applied to our clinic with the complaint of snoring, respiratory arrest during sleep, that underwent polysomnography were included. All patients were undergone cranial magnetic resonance imaging to detect SBI. RESULTS: SBI was found in 176 (51.5%) of 270 patients in the group with OSAS and 94 (34.8%) patients without OSAS. The patients were evaluated according to their Apnea-Hypopnea Index(AHI) ratio, and those with were found to be significant in terms of SBI. SBI was detected in 56.56% in the moderate and severe (AHI ˃15) stage group and 39.94% in the normal and mild (AHI ≤15) OSAS group (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: SBI was found to be significantly higher in patients with moderate and severe stage OSAS compared to the normal and mild OSAS group. Desaturations during sleep may influence the formation of these infarcts. Therefore, this study reported that patients with moderate and severe sleep apnea syndrome may have a higher risk of developing ischaemic cerebrovascular disease and that the treatment of these patients should be planned in this respect.

4.
Postgrad Med J ; 97(1146): 217-221, 2021 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32220920

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite obesity being a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke (IS), the association between body mass index (BMI) and IS in patients with hypertension remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between BMI and IS among elderly hypertensive patients in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited 3500 hypertensive patients aged ≥60 between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011 in China and ascertained their stroke status until December 2016. Multivariate Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between BMI and IS with interaction tests for exposure and covariates. A total of 3315 subjects (mean age 71.41±7.20 years, 44.5% were men) were included for data analysis. During an average follow-up period of 5.5 years, there were 206 onset cases (6.21%) of IS. When BMI was treated as a continuous variable, it was positively associated with the incidence of new onset IS (HR=1.14; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.34; p=0.005) after adjusting for potential confounders. Meanwhile, when BMI was treated as a categorical variable, the highest category (≥28 kg/m2) was strongly associated with an increased risk for IS compared with normal BMI category (18.5 to 24 kg/m2) (HR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.80; p<0.001) in the fully adjusted model. Subgroup and interaction analysis also demonstrated that BMI independently associated with IS among males, smokers, alcohol drinkers, diabetic patients, people with uncontrolled blood pressure, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate and those aged ≥70 years. CONCLUSION: BMI was significantly associated with IS and was an independent risk of IS in Chinese elderly hypertensive patients.


Subject(s)
Body Mass Index , Hypertension/epidemiology , Ischemic Stroke/epidemiology , Aged , China/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Male , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
5.
Postgrad Med J ; 97(1146): 256-263, 2021 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32788313

ABSTRACT

Neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders typically present with symptoms of visual loss, diplopia, ocular motility impairment or anisocoria. The ocular manifestations of these disorders are sometimes indicative of a more serious global neurology disease rather than an isolated ocular disease. The aim of this review is to highlight four important neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders that must not be missed by an ophthalmologist. These include acute painful Horner's syndrome, painful cranial nerve III palsy, giant cell arteritis and transient ischaemic attack with amaurosis fugax. The delayed diagnosis of these clinical entities puts the patient at risk of blindness or death. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of these conditions are essential. This can be acquired from understanding the main signs and symptoms of the disease presentation together with a high index of suspicion while working at a busy eye emergency department.


Subject(s)
Blindness/etiology , Emergency Service, Hospital , Giant Cell Arteritis/complications , Giant Cell Arteritis/diagnosis , Horner Syndrome/complications , Horner Syndrome/diagnosis , Humans , Ischemic Attack, Transient/complications , Ischemic Attack, Transient/diagnosis , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases/complications , Oculomotor Nerve Diseases/diagnosis
6.
Postgrad Med J ; 96(1140): 584-588, 2020 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32234836

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of P wave peak time (PWPT), a novel ECG parameter, in patients who were diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke (IS) and had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) on Holter monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 90 consecutive patients with acute IS who were admitted to our hospital between January 2017 and July 2019. PWPT was described as the time from the beginning of the P wave to its peak, and it was measured from leads DII and VI. The PAF diagnosis was confirmed if it was detected on the ECG during palpitation or in rhythm during the Holter recordings. RESULTS: In this study, 34 (37.7%) patients with acute IS were diagnosed with PAF. In multivariate analyses, the independent predictors of PAF were age, PWPT in lead VI and PWPT in lead DII (OR: 1.34, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.56; p<0.001). A receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated that area under the curve values for PWPT in lead DII for PAF were 0.88 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.95, p<0.001). The cut-off value for PWPT in lead DII in predicting PAF was 68.5 ms with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 75.0%. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a significant relationship between PWPT in lead DII and PAF among patients with acute IS.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Electrocardiography, Ambulatory , Electrocardiography , Heart Atria/physiopathology , Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology , Sinoatrial Node/physiopathology , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Ischemic Stroke/etiology , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , ROC Curve , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors
7.
Postgrad Med J ; 93(1103): 555-559, 2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28280103

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The risk of recurrent ischaemic events is related to platelet function, which is often assessed by thromboelastography (TEG). TEG has high interindividual variability. OBJECTIVE: To identify causal variants associated with TEG parameters in patients who receive aspirin and clopidogrel after intra- or extracranial stenting. METHODS: Patients who underwent stenting for extracranial or intracranial stenosis (70-99%) were recruited into the study. Blood samples were obtained for TEG to assess the platelet function before stenting. Aspirin- and clopidogrel-related genetic polymorphisms were determined by the MassARRAY method. Minor allele frequency and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) tests and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were carried out. The influences of genetic polymorphism on TEG parameters were analysed by linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients were included in this study. Twenty-two selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped, and no significant deviation from HWE was found for any SNP in the study patients. Four SNPs-rs2104543, rs12772169, rs1998591 and rs1042194-within CYP2C18 were in high LD, and the genetic polymorphisms had a significant impact on the TEG parameters maximal clot strength (MAThrombin) and ADP-induced platelet-fibrin clot strength (MAADP). Patients who carried the loss-of-function CYP2C19*2 (rs4244285) allele were also at risk of increased MAThrombin and MAADP. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for these polymorphisms may be valuable in the identification of patients at high risk of recurrent ischaemic events. Alternative treatments may be considered for these high-risk patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01925872.


Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia/genetics , Brain Ischemia/therapy , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Stents , Stroke/genetics , Stroke/therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alleles , Aspirin/administration & dosage , Clopidogrel , Female , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Humans , Linkage Disequilibrium , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Recurrence , Thrombelastography , Ticlopidine/administration & dosage , Ticlopidine/analogs & derivatives
8.
Postgrad Med J ; 98(1156): 153-154, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33184148
12.
Evid Based Med ; 19(4): 121-2, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24574366

ABSTRACT

Statins and antihypertensive therapy are widely used in our oldest patients (ie, those aged over 80 years). The epidemiology suggests that, by this age, hypertension is not an attributable risk factor for stroke, and hypercholesterolaemia has little effect on stroke risk overall. The largest trials of antihypertensive therapy and statins in this age group show at best a marginal clinical reduction in stroke and very modest clinical reductions in other cardiovascular end points. Older patients have very diverse views on the relative importance of stroke and death as end points, and these differ from physicians' views. Informed consent principles (full relevant information in an accessible form, and autonomy of decision-making) suggest that these medications are greatly over-prescribed in the healthy elderly and largely irrelevant in the frail elderly, but require that the patient should be actively involved in the process.


Subject(s)
Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Cholinergic Antagonists/therapeutic use , Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy , Hypertension/drug therapy , Stroke/prevention & control , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Humans , Polypharmacy , Risk Factors
13.
BMJ Open ; 14(5): e078104, 2024 May 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38719328

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a leading cause of disability throughout the world. Unilateral upper limb impairment is common in people who have had a stroke. As a result of impaired upper limb function, people who have had a stroke often employ abnormal 'compensatory' movements. In the short term, these compensatory movements allow the individual to complete tasks, though long-term movement in this manner can lead to limitations. Telerehabilitation offers the provision of rehabilitation services to patients at a remote location using information and communication technologies. 'EvolvRehab' is one such telerehabilitation system, which uses activities to assess and correct compensatory upper body movements, although the feasibility of its use is yet to be determined in National Health Service services. Using EvolvRehab, we aim to assess the feasibility of 6 weeks telerehabilitation in people after a stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multisite feasibility study with embedded design phase. Normally distributed data will be analysed using paired samples t-tests; non-normally distributed data will be analysed using related samples Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Thematic content analysis of interview transcripts will be used to investigate the usability and perceived usefulness of the EvolvRehab kit. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received ethical approval from Solihull Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 23/WM/0054). Dissemination will be carried out according to the dissemination plan co-written with stroke survivors, including academic publications and presentations; written reports; articles in publications of stakeholder organisations; presentations to and publications for potential customers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05875792.


Subject(s)
Feasibility Studies , Stroke Rehabilitation , Telerehabilitation , Humans , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Telerehabilitation/methods , Proof of Concept Study , Upper Extremity/physiopathology , Stroke/physiopathology
14.
BMJ Open ; 14(8): e087130, 2024 Aug 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39122395

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke is effectively treated by time-critical thrombectomy, a highly specialised procedure only available in a limited number of centres. Many patients with suspected stroke are admitted to their nearest hospital and require transfer to access treatment, with resulting delays. This study is evaluating the accuracy of a new rapid portable test for LVO stroke which could be used in the future to select patients for direct admission to a thrombectomy centre. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Rapid Assay Diagnostic for Acute Stroke Recognition (RADAR) is a prospective observational cohort study taking place in stroke units in England. Participants are adults with a new suspected stroke with at least one face, arm or speech (FAST) symptom(s) and known onset within 6 hours or last known to be well 6-24 hours ago. The index test ('LVOne test' (Upfront Diagnostics)), consists of two portable lateral flow assays which use fingerprick capillary blood to detect d-dimer and glial fibrillary acidic protein concentrations. Reference standards comprise independently adjudicated standard CT/MRI brain±CT/MR angiography with senior clinician opinion to establish: ischaemic stroke±LVO; intracerebral haemorrhage; transient ischaemic attack; stroke mimic. Analyses will report sensitivity, specificity and negative and positive predictive values for identification of LVO stroke. Powered using a primary analysis population (≥2 FAST symptoms and known onset within 6 hours), 276 participants will detect a test specificity of 92%. The broader total study population which allows evaluation of the test for milder symptoms and unknown onset times is estimated to be 552 participants. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical (North East-Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee (reference: 23/NE/0043), Health Research Authority and participating National Health Service Trust approvals are granted. Consent is required for enrolment. Dissemination of results will include presentations at conferences, publication in journals and plain English summaries. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN12414986.


Subject(s)
Stroke , Humans , Prospective Studies , Stroke/diagnosis , Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis , England , Thrombectomy
15.
BMJ Open ; 14(7): e084688, 2024 Jul 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39032927

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) protects the cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of stroke recurrence. However, most stroke survivors have significantly lower daily PA levels than those recommended. Adapted PA programmes provide a useful means of increasing the daily PA levels of this population. PA programmes designed to encourage people walking have been found to be more effective than no intervention. Some programmes have been applied in institutional settings while others are done on an independent basis. The aim of this study will be to compare the two methods in terms of their impact on the daily walking rates of subjects with spastic hemiparesis following a chronic stroke. Secondary outcomes will include effects on walking ability, endurance, balance, quality of life and motivation for exercise. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This French single-centre randomised (1:1), controlled, two-arm, parallel, single-blind study will include 40 adults with chronic stroke spastic hemiparesis who are able to walk for 6 min. The primary outcome will be the participants' daily activity measured via the number of steps performed per day using a Stepwatch device. We expect to establish that the institution-based programme will be more effective than a self-managed programme as a means of increasing the PA of chronic stroke subjects. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol was approved by an independent National Ethics Committee (Comité de Protection des personnes Est IV). Participants will be asked to provide their signed informed consent prior to the study. The results will be disseminated via publications in the scientific literature, oral and poster presentations by partners at international scientific meetings and associations of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06061770.


Subject(s)
Exercise Therapy , Self-Management , Stroke Rehabilitation , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Chronic Disease , Exercise , Exercise Therapy/methods , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Self-Management/methods , Single-Blind Method , Stroke/complications , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Walking
16.
BMJ Open ; 14(2): e072502, 2024 Feb 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38401904

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to map the systematic review evidence available to inform the optimal prescribing of statins and antihypertensive medication. DESIGN: Systematic umbrella review and evidence and gap map (EGM). DATA SOURCES: Eight bibliographic databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, EMBASE, Health Management Information Consortium, MEDLINE ALL, PsycINFO, Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science and Science Citation Index) were searched from 2010 to 11 August 2020. Update searches conducted in MEDLINE ALL 2 August 2022. We searched relevant websites and conducted backwards citation chasing. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We sought systematic reviews of quantitative or qualitative research where adults 16 years+ were currently receiving, or being considered for, a prescription of statin or antihypertensive medication. Eligibility criteria were applied to the title and abstract and full text of each article independently by two reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Quality appraisal was completed by one reviewer and checked by a second. Review characteristics were tabulated and incorporated into an EGM based on a patient care pathway. Patients with lived experience provided feedback on our research questions and EGM. RESULTS: Eighty reviews were included within the EGM. The highest quantity of evidence focused on evaluating interventions to promote patient adherence to antihypertensive medication. Key gaps included a lack of reviews synthesising evidence on experiences of specific interventions to promote patient adherence or improve prescribing practice. The evidence was predominantly of low quality, limiting confidence in the findings from individual reviews. CONCLUSIONS: This EGM provides an interactive, accessible format for policy developers, service commissioners and clinicians to view the systematic review evidence available relevant to optimising the prescribing of statin and antihypertensive medication. To address the paucity of high-quality research, future reviews should be conducted and reported according to existing guidelines and address the evidence gaps identified above.


Subject(s)
Antihypertensive Agents , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Hypertension/drug therapy , Evidence-Based Medicine
17.
BMJ Open ; 14(1): e071975, 2024 01 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38238050

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about in-hospital-stroke (IHS) patients with large vessel occlusion and subsequent transfer to referral centres for endovascular therapy (EVT). However, this subgroup is highly relevant given the substantial amount of IHS, the ongoing trend towards greater use of EVT and lack of EVT possibilities in rural hospitals. The study objective is to explore the clinical outcomes of this vulnerable patient group, given that both IHS and interhospital transfer are associated with worse clinical outcomes due to a higher proportion of pre-existing conditions and substantial time delays during transfer. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospectively collected data of patients receiving EVT after interhospital transfer from 14 rural hospitals of the Telemedical Stroke Network in Southeast Bavaria (TEMPiS) between February 2018 and July 2020 was analysed. PARTICIPANTS: 49 IHS and 274 out-of-hospital-stroke (OHS) patients were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline characteristics, treatment times and outcomes were compared between IHS and OHS. The primary endpoint was a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: In IHS patients, atrial fibrillation (55.3% vs 35.9%, p=0.012), diabetes (36.2% vs 21.1%, p=0.024) and use of oral anticoagulants (44.7% vs 20.8%, p<0.001) were more frequent. Stroke severity was similar in both groups. Treatment times from symptom onset to first brain imaging, therapy decision or EVT were shorter for IHS patients. IHS patients displayed worse clinical outcomes: 59.2% of IHS patients died within 3 months compared with 28.5% of OHS patients (p<0.001). They were less likely to achieve moderate outcomes (mRS 0-3) 3 months after stroke (20.4% vs 39.8%, p=0.010). After controlling for possible confounding variables, IHS was associated with worse clinical outcomes (adjusted OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.57 to 6.04), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of IHS patients after interhospital transfer and EVT was high and functional outcomes were worse compared with those of OHS patients. Further research is needed to ascertain whether IHS patients benefit from this therapeutic approach. A more careful selection of IHS patients for transfer and means to enable faster treatment should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04270513; Post-results.


Subject(s)
Brain Ischemia , Endovascular Procedures , Stroke , Humans , Hospitals, Rural , Treatment Outcome , Stroke/diagnosis , Thrombectomy/adverse effects , Registries , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Brain Ischemia/therapy
18.
BMJ Open ; 14(2): e079372, 2024 02 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38309762

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates brain states by applying a weak electrical current to the brain cortex. Several studies have shown that anodal stimulation of the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1) may promote motor recovery of the affected upper limb in patients with stroke; however, a high-level clinical recommendation cannot be drawn in view of inconsistent findings. A priming brain stimulation protocol has been proposed to induce stable modulatory effects, in which an inhibitory stimulation is applied prior to excitatory stimulation to a brain area. Our recent work showed that priming theta burst magnetic stimulation demonstrated superior effects in improving upper limb motor function and neurophysiological outcomes. However, it remains unknown whether pairing a session of cathodal tDCS with a session of anodal tDCS will also capitalise on its therapeutic effects. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This will be a two-arm double-blind randomised controlled trial involving 134 patients 1-6 months after stroke onset. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to receive 10 sessions of priming tDCS+robotic training, or 10 sessions of non-priming tDCS+robotic training for 2 weeks. The primary outcome is the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-upper extremity, and the secondary outcomes are the Wolf Motor Function Test and Modified Barthel Index. The motor-evoked potentials, regional oxyhaemoglobin level and resting-state functional connectivity between the bilateral M1 will be acquired and analysed to investigate the effects of priming tDCS on neuroplasticity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Center (reference number: Yangzhi2023-022) and will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of 1964, as revised in 2013. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300074681.


Subject(s)
Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke , Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation , Humans , Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation/methods , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Recovery of Function , China , Stroke/complications , Stroke/therapy , Upper Extremity , Treatment Outcome , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
19.
BMJ Open ; 14(5): e078276, 2024 May 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38749687

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of poststroke depression (PSD) among patients with PSD and their family members. DESIGN: Web-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: This study was conducted in Heilongjiang Province between October 2022 and April 2023. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with PSD and their family members. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: KAP scores. METHOD: The self-administered questionnaire comprised demographic characteristics, knowledge dimension, attitude dimension and practice dimensions. RESULTS: A total of 489 valid questionnaires were collected, with the average age of the subjects was 54.68±13.80 years, and including 258 (53.09%) patients who had a stroke. The mean scores for KAP were 6.36±2.66 (possible range: 0-10), 29.07±5.18 (possible range: 8-40) and 37.50±8.49 (possible range: 10-50), respectively. Concerning KAP scores, no differences were found between patients with PSD and their family members. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that retirement (OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.77, p=0.012) and monthly income less than ¥2000 (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.27, 0.79, p=0.005) were independently associated with adequate knowledge. Knowledge (OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.14, p<0.001) was independently associated with positive attitude. Knowledge (OR=3.85, 95% CI 2.53 to 5.86, p<0.001) and attitude (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.47, p=0.024) were independently associated with proactive practice. CONCLUSION: Patients and their family members had insufficient knowledge, positive attitude and moderate practice towards PSD. Retirement and low monthly income were associated with insufficient knowledge, while knowledge was associated with positive attitude and proactive practice.


Subject(s)
Depression , Family , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Stroke , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Male , Female , Middle Aged , China , Stroke/psychology , Stroke/complications , Family/psychology , Depression/etiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Aged , Adult , Logistic Models
20.
BMJ Open ; 14(5): e083106, 2024 May 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38724057

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships among caregiver burden, family resilience, and caregiver capacity in the care of stroke survivors. We hypothesised that family resilience would mediate the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING: The study was conducted in a tertiary care setting in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 413 stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary caregivers completed the Shortened Chinese Version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and Family Caregiver Task Inventor and provided their sociodemographic information. Stroke survivors were assessed for activities of daily living, and their sociodemographic information was provided. Data were analysed, controlling for sociodemographic variables and focusing on the mediating effect of family resilience. RESULTS: Caregiver burden was influenced by the activities of daily living of stroke survivors, caregiver age and caregiver health status (p<0.05). Higher caregiver burden was associated with lower family resilience (p<0.01). Lower caregiver capacity corresponded to heavier caregiver burden (p<0.01). Family resilience mediated the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver capacity (b=0.1568; 95% CI: 0.1063 to 0.2385). CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing family resilience can reduce caregiver burden and improve caregiver capacity in stroke care. These findings underscore the importance of developing interventions focused on nursing skills and family resilience.


Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Caregiver Burden , Caregivers , Resilience, Psychological , Stroke , Survivors , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Stroke/psychology , Stroke/nursing , China , Caregivers/psychology , Aged , Survivors/psychology , Caregiver Burden/psychology , Adult , Family/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological
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