Clinical indications and protocol considerations for selecting initial body weight support levels in gait rehabilitation: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Body weight support (BWS) training devices are frequently used to improve gait in individuals with neurological impairments, but guidance in selecting an appropriate level of BWS is limited. Here, we aim to describe the initial BWS levels used during gait training, the rationale for this selection and the clinical goals aligned with BWS training for different diagnoses. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, including terms related to the population (individuals with neurological disorders), intervention (BWS training) and outcome (gait). Information on patient characteristics, type of BWS device, BWS level and training goals was extracted from the included articles. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles were included, which described outcomes using frame-based (stationary or mobile) and unidirectional ceiling-mounted devices on four diagnoses (multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI)). The BWS levels were highest for individuals with MS (median: 75%, IQR: 6%), followed by SCI (median: 40%, IQR: 35%), stroke (median: 30%, IQR: 4.75%) and TBI (median: 15%, IQR: 0%). The included studies reported eleven different training goals. Reported BWS levels ranged between 30 and 75% for most of the training goals, without a clear relationship between BWS level, diagnosis, training goal and rationale for BWS selection. Training goals were achieved in all included studies. CONCLUSION: Initial BWS levels differ considerably between studies included in this review. The underlying rationale for these differences was not clearly motivated in the included studies. Variation in study designs and populations does not allow to draw a conclusion on the effectiveness of BWS levels. Hence, it remains difficult to formulate guidelines on optimal BWS settings for different diagnoses, BWS devices and training goals. Further efforts are required to establish clinical guidelines and to experimentally investigate which initial BWS levels are optimal for specific diagnoses and training goals.

Stroke survivors' long-term participation in paid employment.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge on long-term participation is scarce for patients with paid employment at the time of stroke. OBJECTIVE: Describe the characteristics and the course of participation (paid employment and overall participation) in patients who did and did not remain in paid employment. METHODS: Patients with paid employment at the time of stroke completed questions on work up to 30 months after starting rehabilitation, and the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-P, Frequency, Restrictions and Satisfaction scales) up to 24 months. Baseline characteristics of patients with and without paid employment at 30 months were compared using Fisher's Exact Tests and Mann-Whitney U Tests. USER-P scores over time were analysed using Linear Mixed Models. RESULTS: Of the 170 included patients (median age 54.2 interquartile range 11.2 years; 40% women) 50.6% reported paid employment at 30 months. Those returning to work reported at baseline more working hours, better quality of life and communication, were more often self-employed and in an office job. The USER-P scores did not change statistically significantly over time. CONCLUSION: About half of the stroke patients remained in paid employment. Optimizing interventions for returning to work and achieving meaningful participation outside of employment seem desirable.

Clinical Work-Integrating Care in Current Practice: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: Clinical work-integrating care (CWIC) refers to paying attention to work participation in a clinical setting. Working patients may benefit from CWIC. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent and nature to which medical specialists provide CWIC and what policies and guidelines oblige or recommend specialists to do. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psychinfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for studies on the extent and nature of CWIC and supplemented by gray literature on policies and guidelines. Six main categories were defined a priori. Applying a meta-aggregative approach, subcategories were subsequently defined using qualitative data. Next, quantitative findings were integrated into these subcategories. A separate narrative of policies and guidelines using the same main categories was constructed. RESULTS: In total, 70 studies and 55 gray literature documents were included. The main findings per category were as follows: (1) collecting data on the occupation of patients varied widely; (2) most specialists did not routinely discuss work, but recent studies showed an increasing tendency to do so, which corresponds to recent policies and guidelines; (3) work-related advice ranged from general advice to patient-physician collaboration about work-related decisions; (4) CWIC was driven by legislation in many countries; (5) specialists sometimes collaborated in multidisciplinary teams to provide CWIC; and (6) medical guidelines regarding CWIC were generally not available. CONCLUSION: Medical specialists provide a wide variety of CWIC ranging from assessing a patient's occupation to extensive collaboration with patients and other professionals to support work participation. Lack of medical guidelines could explain the variety of these practices.

Relative Aerobic Load of Daily Activities After Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals after stroke are less active, experience more fatigue, and perform activities at a slower pace than peers with no impairments. These problems might be caused by an increased aerobic energy expenditure during daily tasks and a decreased aerobic capacity after stroke. The aim of this study was to quantify relative aerobic load (ie, the ratio between aerobic energy expenditure and aerobic capacity) during daily-life activities after stroke. METHODS: Seventy-nine individuals after stroke (14 in Functional Ambulation Category [FAC] 3, 25 in FAC 4, and 40 in FAC 5) and 22 peers matched for age, sex, and body mass index performed a maximal exercise test and 5 daily-life activities at a preferred pace for 5 minutes. Aerobic energy expenditure (mL O2/kg/min) and economy (mL O2/kg/unit of distance) were derived from oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2$). Relative aerobic load was defined as aerobic energy expenditure divided by peak aerobic capacity (%$\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_2$peak) and by $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{o}}_2$ at the ventilatory threshold (%$\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{o}}_2$-VT) and compared in individuals after stroke and individuals with no impairments. RESULTS: Individuals after stroke performed activities at a significantly higher relative aerobic load (39%-82% $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{o}}_2$peak) than peers with no impairments (38%-66% $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{o}}_2$peak), despite moving at a significantly slower pace. Aerobic capacity in individuals after stroke was significantly lower than that in peers with no impairments. Movement was less economical in individuals after stroke than in peers with no impairments. CONCLUSION: Individuals after stroke experience a high relative aerobic load during cyclic daily-life activities, despite adopting a slower movement pace than peers with no impairments. Perhaps individuals after stroke limit their movement pace to operate at sustainable relative aerobic load levels at the expense of pace and economy. IMPACT: Improving aerobic capacity through structured aerobic training in a rehabilitation program should be further investigated as a potential intervention to improve mobility and functioning after stroke.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Individuals Post-stroke: Reference Values and Determinants.

OBJECTIVE: To provide reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness for individuals post-stroke in clinical rehabilitation and to gain insight in characteristics related to cardiorespiratory fitness post stroke. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. Reference equations of cardiopulmonary fitness corrected for age and sex for the fifth, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentile were constructed with quantile regression analysis. The relation between patient characteristics and cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by linear regression analyses adjusted for sex and age. Multivariate regression models of cardiorespiratory fitness were constructed. SETTING: Clinical rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals post-stroke who performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test as part of clinical rehabilitation between July 2015 and May 2021 (N=405). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiorespiratory fitness in terms of peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) and oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold (V˙O2-VT). RESULTS: References equations for cardiorespiratory fitness stratified by sex and age were provided based on 405 individuals post-stroke. Median V˙O2peak was 17.8[range 8.4-39.6] mL/kg/min and median V˙O2-VT was 9.7[range 5.9-26.6] mL/kg/min. Cardiorespiratory fitness was lower in individuals who were older, women, using beta-blocker medication, and in individuals with a higher body mass index and lower motor ability. CONCLUSIONS: Population specific reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness for individuals post-stroke corrected for age and sex were presented. These can give individuals post-stroke and health care providers insight in their cardiorespiratory fitness compared with their peers. Furthermore, they can be used to determine the potential necessity for cardiorespiratory fitness training as part of the rehabilitation program for an individual post-stroke to enhance their fitness, functioning and health. Especially, individuals post-stroke with more mobility limitations and beta-blocker use are at a higher risk of low cardiorespiratory fitness.

[Acquired Brain Injury and Work Participation - A Dutch Interdisciplinary Guideline for Occupational and Insurance Physicians]. / Erworbene Hirnschädigung und Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben.

Acquired Brain Injury and Work Participation - A Dutch Interdisciplinary Guideline for Occupational and Insurance Physicians Abstract. This article discusses the Dutch interdisciplinary guideline 'Acquired brain injury and work participation'. Its development follows the methodology of evidence-based medicine and supports all professionals involved in the vocational re-integration of workers with traumatic (e.g., traffic accident) and non-traumatic (e.g., stroke) acquired brain injury.

Patients' Experiences, Needs, and Expectations of Cooperation Between Medical Specialists and Occupational Health Physicians: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Cooperation between clinical and occupational health care practitioners is a key aspect of clinical work-integrating care. This study aimed to gain insight into patients' experiences, needs, and expectations regarding cooperation between medical specialists and occupational health physicians. METHODS: A thematic qualitative study was conducted involving a total of 33 participants in eight online focus groups. RESULTS: Participants indicated practitioners are currently working in an isolated manner. However, participants desired for partnership between specialists and occupational health physicians to address work-related concerns and showed a need for explanation of the consequences of their diagnosis, so this can be translated into their ability to work. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, cooperation between clinical and occupational health care is lacking. Yet, some participants experienced that these disciplines could complement each other by working together to support patients in work participation.

Using Self-Regulation Assessment to Explore Associations between Self-Regulation, Participation and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Rehabilitation Population.

OBJECTIVE: Self-regulation, participation and health-related quality of life are important rehabilitation outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore associations between these outcomes in a multi-diagnostic and heterogenic group of former rehabilitation patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey used the Self-Regulation Assessment (SeRA), Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-participation (USERParticipation) and the Patient-Reported-Outcome-Measurement-System (PROMIS) ability and PROMIS satisfaction with participation in social roles, and the EuroQol-5L-5D and PROMIS-10 Global Health. Regression analyses, controlling for demographic and condition-related factors, were performed. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 563) had a mean age of 56.5 (standard deviation (SD) 12.7) years. The largest diagnostic groups were chronic pain disorder and brain injury. In addition to demographic and condition-related factors, self-regulation subscales explained 0-15% of the variance in participation outcome scores, and 0-22% of the variance in HRQoL outcome scores. Self-regulation subscales explained up to 22% of the variance in satisfaction subscales of participation (USER-Participation and PROMIS) and the mental health subscale of the PROMIS-10. Self-regulation subscales explained up to 11% of the restriction and frequency subscales of participation (USER-Participation) and the physical health subscale of the PROMIS-10. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation is more strongly associated with outcomes such as satisfaction with participation and mental health compared with outcomes such as restrictions in participation and physical health.

A blended eHealth intervention for insomnia following acquired brain injury: a randomised controlled trial.

The high prevalence and severe consequences of poor sleep following acquired brain injury emphasises the need for an effective treatment. However, treatment studies are scarce. The present study evaluates the efficacy of blended online cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (eCBT-I) developed specifically for people with acquired brain injury. In a multicentre prospective, open-label, blinded end-point randomised clinical trial, 52 participants with insomnia and a history of a stroke or traumatic brain injury were randomised to 6 weeks of guided eCBT-I or treatment as usual, with a 6-week follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the change in insomnia severity between baseline and after treatment, measured with the Insomnia Severity Index. Results showed that insomnia severity improved significantly more with eCBT-I than with treatment as usual compared to baseline, both at post-treatment (mean [SEM] 4.0 [1.3] insomnia severity index points stronger decrease, d = 0.96, p < 0.003) and at follow-up (mean [SEM] 3.2 [1.5] insomnia severity index points, d = -0.78, p < 0.03). In conclusion, our randomised clinical trial shows that blended CBT is an effective treatment for insomnia, and feasible for people with acquired brain injury, regardless of cognitive and psychiatric complaints. Online treatment has major advantages in terms of availability and cost and may contribute to the successful implementation of insomnia treatment for people with acquired brain injuries.

Can people with poststroke insomnia benefit from blended cognitive behavioral therapy? A single case experimental design.

PURPOSE: Sleep is essential for our overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, stroke often induces insomnia, which has been shown to impede rehabilitation and recovery of function. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the treatment of choice for insomnia in the general population and is efficacious both when delivered face-to-face or online. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of blended CBT-I (eCBT-I) in five poststroke participants with insomnia according to DSM-5 criteria. METHODS: A randomized multiple baseline design was used to evaluate improvements in total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, nocturnal awakenings and sleep quality. The intervention included six weeks of eCBT-I combined with two face-to-face sessions. RESULTS: All participants completed the intervention. One participant stopped using the diary, while the other four completed it fully. All five sleep diary measures improved, significantly so for nocturnal awakenings. Moreover, after completion of the treatment, four out of five participants no longer fulfilled DSM-5 criteria for insomnia disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that blended CBT-I is potentially effective in participants with post-stroke insomnia. The findings justify extension to a randomized controlled trial.

Current practices, needs, and expectations of discussing work with a medical specialist from a patient's perspective: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Attention to paid work in clinical health care-clinical work-integrating care (CWIC)-might be beneficial for patients of working age. However, the perceptions and expectations of patients about CWIC are unknown. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of current practices, needs, and expectations among patients for discussing work with a medical specialist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was undertaken involving patients with diverse medical conditions (n = 33). Eight online synchronous focus groups were held. A thematic analysis was then performed. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: (1) the process of becoming a patient while wanting to work again, (2) different needs for different patients, (3) patients' expectations of CWIC. We identified three different overarching categories of work-concerns: (a) the impact of work on disease, (b) the impact of disease or treatment on work ability, and (c) concerns when work ability remained decreased. For each category of concerns, patients expected medical specialists to perform differing roles. CONCLUSIONS: Patients indicated that they need support for work-related concerns from their medical specialists and/or other professionals. Currently, not all work concerns received the requested attention, leaving a portion of the patients with unmet needs regarding CWIC.

Patients have a wide range of questions regarding work and health, which they want to discuss with their medical specialistIn current clinical practice, not all work concerns get the requested attention, leaving some patients with unmet needsCooperation with different health care professionals, including rehabilitation occupational health care, might aid in supporting patients with their work-related questions.

A cross-sectional comparison of patient characteristics across healthcare settings using the minimal dataset for adults with acquired brain injury (MDS-ABI).

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can have lifelong consequences and accordingly, persons with ABI often receive various types of healthcare. Facilities have their own preferences towards measurement instruments used to evaluate patients, impeding data comparison across healthcare settings. In this cross-sectional study, we used the previously developed minimal dataset for persons with ABI (MDS-ABI) to uniformly document and compare characteristics and outcomes of ABI patients in three healthcare settings: (1) residential care (n = 21), (2) non-residential care (n = 80), and (3) no ABI-related care (n = 22). Overall, patients of residential care settings had the lowest functional outcome compared with patients in the remaining groups. Nonetheless, all groups showed substantial disabilities within numerous life domains, indicating that the consequences of ABI are widespread among patients within and outside of healthcare facilities. These results demonstrate the need for a broad measurement of the potential consequences of ABI. The MDS-ABI covers twelve life domains most frequently affected by ABI and therefore helps to better recognize the consequences of ABI. In research contexts, implementation of the MDS-ABI allows for direct comparison of research findings. Future directions should be aimed at further implementation of the MDS-ABI to guide clinical decision-making and assist in identifying treatment goals specific to each healthcare setting.

Training for the HandbikeBattle: an explorative analysis of training load and handcycling physical capacity in recreationally active wheelchair users.

PURPOSE: (1) to analyze training characteristics of recreationally active wheelchair users during handcycle training, and (2) to examine the associations between training load and change in physical capacity. METHODS: Former rehabilitation patients (N = 60) with health conditions such as spinal cord injury or amputation were included. Participants trained for five months. A handcycling/arm crank graded exercise test was performed before and after the training period. Outcomes: peak power output per kg (POpeak/kg) and peak oxygen uptake per kg (VO2peak/kg). Training load was defined as Training Impulse (TRIMP), which is rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) multiplied by duration of the session, in arbitrary units (AU). Training intensity distribution (TID) was also determined (time in zone 1, RPE ≤4; zone 2, RPE 5-6; zone 3, RPE ≥7). RESULTS: Multilevel regression analyses showed that TRIMPsRPE was not significantly associated with change in physical capacity. Time in zone 2 (RPE 5-6) was significantly associated with ΔVO2peak, %ΔVO2peak, ΔVO2peak/kg and %ΔVO2peak/kg. CONCLUSION: Training at RPE 5-6 was the only determinant that was significantly associated with improvement in physical capacity. Additional controlled studies are necessary to demonstrate causality and gather more information about its usefulness, and optimal handcycle training regimes for recreationally active wheelchair users.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMonitoring of handcycle training load is important to structure the training effort and intensity over time and to eventually optimize performance capacity. This is especially important for relatively untrained wheelchair users, who have a low physical capacity and a high risk of overuse injuries and shoulder pain.Training load can be easily calculated by multiplying the intensity of the training (RPE 0-10) with the duration of the training in minutes.Results on handcycle training at RPE 5-6 intensity in recreationally active wheelchair users suggests to be promising and should be further investigated with controlled studies.

Usefulness and feasibility of comprehensive and less comprehensive vocational rehabilitation for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: perspectives from patients, professionals, and managers.

PURPOSE: To explore the usefulness and feasibility of a comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (C-VR) program and less comprehensive (LC-VR) program for workers on sick leave due to chronic musculoskeletal pain, from the perspective of patients, professionals, and managers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were held with patients, professionals, and managers. Using topic lists, participants were questioned about barriers to and facilitators of the usefulness and feasibility of C-VR and LC-VR. Thirty interviews were conducted with thirteen patients (n = 6 C-VR, n = 7 LC-VR), eight professionals, and nine managers. All interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed by systematic text condensation using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged for usefulness ("patient factors," "content," "dosage") and six themes emerged for feasibility ("satisfaction," "intention to continue use," "perceived appropriateness," "positive/negative effects on target participants," "factors affecting implementation ease or difficulty," "adaptations"). The patients reported that both programs were feasible and generally useful. The professionals preferred working with the C-VR, although they disliked the fixed and uniform character of the program. They also mentioned that this program is too extensive for some patients, and that the latter would probably benefit from the LC-VR program. Despite their positive intentions, the managers stated that due to the Dutch healthcare system, implementation of the LC-VR program would be financially unfeasible. CONCLUSIONS: The main conclusion of this study is that it is not useful to have one VR program for all patients with CMP and reduced work participation, and that flexible and tailored-based VR are warranted.Implications for rehabilitationBoth comprehensive and less comprehensive vocational rehabilitation are deemed useful for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and reduced work participation. Particular patient factors, for instance information uptake, discipline, willingness to change, duration of complaints, movement anxiety, obstructing thoughts, and willingness to return to work might guide the right program for the right patient.Both comprehensive and less comprehensive vocational rehabilitation are deemed feasible in practice. However, factors such as center logistic (schemes, rooms, professionals available) and country-specific healthcare insurance and sickness compensation systems should foster the implementation of less comprehensive programs.

Estimation of Metabolic Energy Expenditure during Short Walking Bouts.

Assessment of metabolic energy expenditure from indirect calorimetry is currently limited to sustained (>4 min) cyclic activities, because of steady-state requirements. This is problematic for patient populations who are unable to perform such sustained activities. Therefore, this study explores validity and reliability of a method estimating metabolic energy expenditure based on oxygen consumption (V̇O2) during short walking bouts. Twelve able-bodied adults twice performed six treadmill walking trials (1, 2 and 6 min at 4 and 5 km/h), while V̇O2 was measured. Total V̇O2 was calculated by integrating net V̇O2 over walking and recovery. Concurrent validity with steady-state V̇O2 was assessed with Pearson's correlations. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses. Total V̇O2 was strongly correlated with steady-state V̇O2 (r=0.91-0.99), but consistently higher. Test-retest reliability of total V̇O2 (ICC=0.65-0.92) was lower than or comparable to steady-state V̇O2 (ICC=0.83-0.92), with lower reliability for shorter trials. Total V̇O2 discriminated between gait speeds. Total oxygen uptake provides a useful measure to estimate metabolic load of short activities from oxygen consumption. Although estimates are less reliable than steady-state measurements, they can provide insight in the yet unknown metabolic demands of daily activities for patient populations unable to perform sustained activities.

Vocational Rehabilitation with or without Work Module for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Sick Leave from Work: Longitudinal Impact on Work Participation.

Purpose To study the longitudinal relationship between interdisciplinary vocational rehabilitation (VR) with and without additional work module on work participation of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and sick leave from work. Methods Retrospective longitudinal data retrieved from care as usual in seven VR centers in the Netherlands was used. The VR program without work module consisted of multi-component healthcare (physical exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, education, relaxation). The other program with additional work module (VR+) included case management and a workplace visit. Generalized estimating equations using binary logistic was applied. The dependent variable was work participation (achieved/not achieved) on discharge and 6-months follow-up. Independent variables were type of intervention, return to work expectation, sick leave duration, working status, job strain, and job dissatisfaction. Results Data from N = 470 patients were analyzed, of which 26% received VR and 74% VR+. Both programs increased work participation at 6-months follow-up (VR 86%, VR+ 87%). The crude model showed a significant longitudinal relationship between type of intervention and work participation in favor of VR+ (OR 1.8, p = 0.01). The final model showed a non-significant relationship on discharge (OR 1.3, p = 0.51) and a significant relationship on 6-months follow-up in favor of VR+ (OR 1.7, p = 0.04). RTW expectation was a significant confounder in the final model on discharge and 6-months follow up (OR 3.1, p = 0.00). Conclusions Both programs led to increased work participation. The addition of a work module to the VR program lead to a significant increase in odds of work participation at 6-months follow-up.

[Exercise capacity after mechanical ventilation because of COVID-19: Cardiopulmonary exercise tests in clinical rehabilitation]. / Inspanningscapaciteit na beademing vanwege covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: To safely and effectively train the exercise capacity of post-COVID-19 patients it is important to test for cardiopulmonary risk factors and to assess exercise limitations. The goal of this study was to describe the exercise capacity and underlying exercise limitations of mechanically ventilated post-COVID-19 patients in clinical rehabilitation. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Twenty-four post-COVID-19patients that were mechanically ventilated at ICU and thereafter admitted for clinical rehabilitation performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with breath-by-breath gas-exchange monitoring, ECG-registration, blood pressure- and saturation monitoring. In absence of a primary cardiac or ventilatory exercise limitation patients were considered to be limited primarily by decreased peripheral muscle mass. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients could perform a maximal exercise test and no adverse events occurred. Cardiorespiratory fitness was very poor with a median peak oxygen uptake of 15.0 [10.1-21.4] mlO2/kg/min (57% of predicted values). However, we observed large differences within the group in both exercise capacity and exercise limitations. While 7/23 patients were primarily limited by ventilatory function, the majority (70%) was limited primarily by the decreased peripheral muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness of post-COVID-19 patients in clinical rehabilitation is strongly deteriorated. The majority of patients seemed primarily limited for exercise by the decreased peripheral muscle mass.

A blended eHealth intervention for insomnia following acquired brain injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Up to a third of stroke patients and patients with traumatic brain injury suffer from insomnia, including problems to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. Insomnia may exacerbate other brain damage-related problems, for example regarding cognitive functioning and emotional well-being; may lead to poorer quality of life; and may complicate recovery processes. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, delivered face-to-face or online, is found to be effective in the general population. However, despite the high prevalence and serious consequences of insomnia following acquired brain injury, studies on the efficacy of face-to-face cognitive behavioral treatment in this population are scarce, and this applies even more for studies on online cognitive behavioral therapy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed guided online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia following acquired brain injury. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point study (PROBE) will be conducted, in which 48 patients diagnosed with stroke or traumatic brain injury and insomnia will be randomly allocated to the online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia treatment group or the treatment as usual group. The treatment consists of 6 online cognitive behavioral therapy sessions given on a weekly basis and personalized feedback after each session, combined with 2 face-to-face sessions. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention period and at 6-week follow-up. The primary outcome is the insomnia severity assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcome measures include sleep quality, sleep features derived from the sleep diary, fatigue, anxiety and depression, subjective cognitive functioning, and societal participation. DISCUSSION: This study will provide insight on the efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia following stroke and traumatic brain injury. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NTR7082 . Registered on 12 March 2018.

Availability of vocational rehabilitation services for people with acquired brain injury in Dutch rehabilitation institutions.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the availability of and process involved in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) provided in Dutch rehabilitation institutions. METHODS: A survey on the availability and characteristics of the VR intervention process for people with ABI was conducted in all Dutch rehabilitation centers and rehabilitation departments of general and academic hospitals (n = 120). Different domains of the VR intervention process were included in the questionnaire, the number (and percentage) of respondents giving a certain answer within a domain was reported. RESULTS: Fifty-five institutions replied (response rate 46%). VR services for ABI were provided in 34 (62%) of these, of which 20 (59%) used a VR protocol. The main similarities found among different organizations providing VR services were the involvement of different disciplines, determination of the gap between job requirements and the patient's abilities, goal-setting for VR, involvement of external partners, timing, and source of funding. The main differences found concerned start and stop criteria, and coordination of the VR process. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, at least 30% of the Dutch rehabilitation institutions offer VR services for people with ABI; there is variation in processes.

Feasibility of a minimal dataset for adults with acquired brain injury in Dutch healthcare practice.

OBJECTIVE: Data collection in the field of acquired brain injury (ABI) lacks uniformity due to the broad spectrum of available measurement instruments, leading to incomparability of data and the need for patients to 'repeat their story'. To pursue uniform data collection, an ABI-specific minimal dataset (MDS-ABI) is currently under development. The current study aimed to assess the feasibility (performance according to protocol, user opinion, potential implementation barriers, and suggested improvements) of the MDS-ABI in clinical settings. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was used in a range of healthcare sectors for persons with ABI. Clinicians of several relevant disciplines within these sectors were asked to administer the MDS-ABI to five patients. Subsequently, feasibility according to clinicians was assessed by means of a paper questionnaire about every administration and an online questionnaire about the feasibility in general. Feasibility according to patients was assessed with a paper questionnaire and think aloud interviews. RESULTS: Thirteen clinicians and 50 patients were included. In general, the MDS-ABI performed according to protocol. Both clinicians and patients were overall satisfied with the content of the MDS-ABI. The Cumulative Illness Rating Scale was regarded incomprehensible, leading to missing data. Further, clinicians indicated that the MDS-ABI would not be suitable for all ABI-patients, as some are incapable of self-report due to potential cognitive problems, communicative problems, fatigue, perceptual problems, or impaired awareness of deficits. CONCLUSION: The MDS-ABI is a promising tool for obtaining core information on ABI-patients. The MDS-ABI will be adjusted according to the suggestions. For patients who are incapable of self-report, a proxy-reported version of the self-reported part was developed.