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.

Walking speed, hip muscles strength, aerobic capacity, and self-perceived locomotion ability most explain walking confidence after stroke: a cross-sectional experimental study.

Identifying the determinants of walking confidence can be crucial in therapeutic terms. On these bases, interventions to improve these factors could improve, in turn, walking confidence. Objective is to explore the relationship between motor impairments and activity limitation measures and walking confidence in people with chronic stroke. Walking confidence was assessed using the modified Gait Efficacy Scale. The independent variables were: strength of the hip flexors and knee flexors/extensors (measured with a dynamometer), lower limb coordination (assessed by the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test), dynamic balance (assessed by the Four-Square Step Test), walking speed (from the 10-m Walk Test), aerobic capacity (from the 6-Minute Walk Test), and self-perceived locomotion ability (assessed by the ABILOCO). Pearson correlation was used to explore the relationships between the variables, and multiple linear regression to identify the independent explainers of walking confidence after stroke. Ninety chronic stroke individuals (35 men), with a mean age of 68 (SD 13) years were assessed. All independent variables were significantly correlated with walking confidence. Regarding the regression analysis, these measures explained 44% ( F = 9.21; P < 0.001) of the variance in walking confidence; however, only walking speed, strength of the hip flexor muscles, aerobic capacity, and perceived locomotion ability showed significance. All motor impairment and activity limitation measures correlated with walking confidence. However, the regression analysis highlighted that only walking speed, aerobic capacity, the strength of the hip flexor muscles, and perceived locomotion were independent explainers of walking confidence after stroke.

Test-retest reliability and measurement error of the modified gait efficacy scale in individuals with stroke.

PURPOSE: To investigate the test-retest reliability and measurement error of the Brazilian version of the modified Gait Efficacy scale (mGES-Brazil) in individuals who have had stroke. METHODS: The mGES-Brazil was applied on two occasions, five to seven days apart, in a research laboratory setting. Test-retest reliability and measurement error, which included the standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC), and analysis of the limits of agreement by the Bland-Altman plots, were examined. RESULTS: Fifty individuals who have had stroke (18 men), with a mean age of 64 ± 11 years, were evaluated. All individual items showed good reliability (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient - ICC2,1 > 0.90). The ICC was 0.98 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99) and the Bland and Altman plots revealed no systematic changes in the mean test-retest scores. The SEM (SEM%) was 3 (5%), within the recommended values, while the SDC was 8 points. CONCLUSION: The mGES-Brazil demonstrated to be reliable to be applied within clinical and research contexts for the assessment of changes in walking confidence of individuals who have had stroke. Changes in mGES scores ≥8 points reflect real changes.

Capacidade, desempenho e confiança da marcha como preditores de quedas em indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico / Capacidad de la marcha, rendimiento y confianza como los predictores de caídas en personas pos accidente cerebrovascular / Walking capacity, performance, and confidence as predictors of falls in post-stroke individuals

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a correlação entre capacidade, desempenho e confiança da marcha e número de quedas em indivíduos após sofrerem acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), além de investigar quais dessas variáveis relacionadas à marcha poderiam predizer as quedas nessa população. Foram avaliados 95 indivíduos pós-AVE, de acordo com número de quedas no último ano e capacidade de marcha (por meio de teste de caminhada de 10 metros), desempenho na marcha (pela aplicação do questionário ABILOCO-Brasil) e confiança na marcha (pela análise de modified gait efficacy scale). O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi utilizado para avaliar as correlações entre as variáveis. A regressão linear múltipla foi aplicada para avaliar se as variáveis relacionadas à marcha são capazes de predizer as quedas em indivíduos pós-AVE. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre capacidade (p=0,87) e performance na marcha (p=0,06) e número de quedas. Correlação significativa, negativa, de magnitude moderada, foi encontrada somente entre confiança na marcha e quedas (r=−0,43; p<0,01). Na análise de regressão, apenas a confiança na marcha permaneceu no modelo (p<0,01) como preditora do número de quedas em indivíduos pós-AVE, sendo capaz, sozinha, de explicar 18% (R2=0,18) dessa variável. Assim, os achados do estudo demonstraram que apenas a confiança na marcha está diretamente relacionada com o número de quedas em indivíduos pós-AVE, sendo essa também a única variável que pode ser considerada preditora desse evento nessa população.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la correlación entre la capacidad de la marcha, rendimiento y confianza con el número de caídas en personas después del accidente cerebrovascular (ACV), además de identificar las variables relacionadas con la marcha que podrían predecir caídas en esta población. Se evaluó a un total de 95 personas pos-ACV de acuerdo al número de caídas en el último año y la capacidad de la marcha (por medio de la prueba de caminata de 10 metros), el rendimiento de la marcha (aplicando el cuestionario ABILOCO-Brasil) y la confianza en la marcha (por el análisis de modified gait efficacy scale). Para evaluar las correlaciones entre variables, se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Para determinar si las variables relacionadas con la marcha pueden predecir caídas en personas pos-ACV, se aplicó regresión lineal múltiple. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la capacidad (p=0,87) y rendimiento de la marcha (p=0,06) con el número de caídas. Se encontró únicamente una correlación negativa significativa de magnitud moderada entre la confianza en la marcha y las caídas (r=−0,43; p<0,01). En el análisis de regresión, solamente la confianza en la marcha permaneció en el modelo (p<0,01) como la predictora del número de caídas en personas pos-ACV pudiendo explicar, por sí sola, el 18% (R2=0,18) de esta variable. Los hallazgos del estudio demostraron que la confianza en la marcha fue la única variable que estuvo directamente relacionada con el número de caídas en personas pos-ACV, además de ser la única predictora de caídas en esta población.

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the correlation between walking capacity, performance, and confidence and the number of falls in post-stroke individuals, in addition to investigate which of these walking-related variables could predict falls in this population. In total, 95 post-stroke individuals were evaluated according to the number of falls in the last year and walking capacity (10-meter walk test), walking performance (ABILOCO-Brazil) and walking confidence (modified Gait Efficacy Scale). Pearson''s correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlations between variables. Multiple linear regression was used to assess whether walking-related variables can predict falls in post-stroke individuals. No significant correlations were found between capacity (p=0.87) and walking performance (p=0.06) and number of falls. A significant, negative correlation, with moderate magnitude, was found only between walking confidence and falls (r=−0.43; p<0.01). In the regression analysis, only walking confidence remained in the model (p<0.01) as a predictor of the number of falls in post-stroke individuals, explaining 18% (R2=0.18) of this variable. Thus, this study results demonstrated that only walking confidence is directly related to the number of falls in post-stroke individuals, which is also the only variable that can be considered a predictor of this event in this population.

Efficacy of Interventions to Improve Respiratory Function After Stroke.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically review all current interventions that have been utilized to improve respiratory function and activity after stroke. METHODS: Specific searches were conducted. The experimental intervention had to be planned, structured, repetitive, purposive, and delivered with the aim of improving respiratory function. Outcomes included respiratory strength (maximum inspiratory pressure [PImax], maximum expiratory pressure [PEmax]) and endurance, lung function (FVC, FEV1, and peak expiratory flow [PEF]), dyspnea, and activity. The quality of the randomized trials was assessed by the PEDro scale using scores from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (www.pedro.org.au), and risk of bias was assessed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: The 17 included trials had a mean PEDro score of 5.7 (range 4-8) and involved 616 participants. Meta-analyses showed that respiratory muscle training significantly improved all outcomes of interest: PImax (weighted mean difference 11 cm H2O, 95% CI 7-15, I2 = 0%), PEmax (8 cm H2O, 95% CI 2-15, I2 = 65%), FVC (0.25 L, 95% CI 0.12-0.37, I2 = 29%), FEV1 (0.24 L, 95% CI 0.17-0.30, I2 = 0%), PEF (0.51 L/s, 95% CI 0.10-0.92, I2 = 0%), dyspnea (standardized mean difference -1.6 points, 95% CI -2.2 to -0.9; I2 = 0%), and activity (standardized mean difference 0.78, 95% CI 0.22-1.35, I2 = 0%). Meta-analyses found no significant results for the effects of breathing exercises on lung function. For the remaining interventions (ie, aerobic and postural exercises) and the addition of electrical stimulation, meta-analyses could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review reports 5 possible interventions used to improve respiratory function after stroke. Respiratory muscle training proved to be effective for improving inspiratory and expiratory strength, lung function, and dyspnea, and benefits were carried over to activity. However, there is still no evidence to accept or refute the efficacy of aerobic, breathing, and postural exercises, or the addition of electrical stimulation in respiratory function.