Effect of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation on motor function and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a promising tool for improving functional outcome in stroke survivors, however, evidence for improving emotional health is limited. We aimed to clarify the effects of outpatient CR following in-hospital stroke rehabilitation on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and motor function. METHODS: Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack discharged directly home were recruited, and 128 patients who fulfilled criteria for insurance coverage of CR were divided into the CR (+) group (n = 46) and CR (-) group (n = 82). All patients underwent in-hospital stroke rehabilitation, and within 2 months after stroke onset, patients in the CR (+) group started a 3-month outpatient CR program of supervised sessions. Changes of motor function and HRQOL assessed by the short form-36 version 2 (SF-36) from discharge to 3 months post-discharge were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients in the CR (+) group completed the program and 66 patients in the CR (-) group were followed up at a 3-month examination. Least-square mean changes in 6-minute walk distance and isometric knee extension muscle strength were significantly higher in the CR (+) group than the CR (-) group (52.6 vs. 16.3 m; 10.1 vs. 3.50 kgf/kg). Improvement of HRQOL at 3 months was not observed in the CR (+) group. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient CR following in-hospital stroke rehabilitation within 2 months after stroke onset improved exercise tolerance and functional strength but not HRQOL assessed by the SF-36 after completion of CR in the present cohort.

Pre-existing sarcopenia and swallowing outcomes in acute stroke patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the associations of pre-existing sarcopenia with swallowing function, oral intake level, and aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: This observational study included patients (≥60 years of age) with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage within 7 days of onset who were screened for sarcopenia, malnutrition, and swallowing difficulties in a stroke-care unit within 48 h of admission. Sarcopenia was defined by the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 as having a low calf circumference, handgrip strength, and appendicular muscle mass index. The primary outcome was impaired oral intake (functional oral intake scale <5 points) at 3, 7, and 14 days after admission, and the secondary outcome was aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization. RESULTS: We enrolled 350 patients (median age of 77 years; 63% males) who underwent the aforementioned screening. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 34% of patients, and malnutrition was found in 66% of patients with sarcopenia. When compared with the comparison group (defined as patients with either or both normal calf circumference and handgrip strength), the sarcopenia group had significantly lower tongue pressure and a higher prevalence of dysphagia. Sarcopenia was associated with functional oral intake scale <5 at 7 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91-11.71); p = 0.002) and 14 days (adjusted OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.47-10.53; p = 0.006) and with aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization (adjusted OR, 6.12; 95% CI, 1.63-22.94; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Acute stroke patients with sarcopenia may have weakness of the swallowing-related muscles which may lead to impaired oral intake and aspiration pneumonia.

Dynamic changes of the direction and angle of radiographic ocular lateral deviation in patients with lateropulsion after stroke onset.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if radiographic ocular lateral deviation (rOLD) could be provoked in stroke patients with mild-to-moderate lateropulsion according to vertical perception. METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study, acute stroke patients with mild-to-moderate lateropulsion assessed by the Scale for Contraversive Pushing were enrolled. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed on all patients on admission and then according to their conditions. The direction and angle of rOLD were compared among three groups according to the responsible lesion: lateral medullary (LM), pontine (P), and hemispheric (H). RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (male, 47; average age, 67 years) were enrolled and divided into the LM (n = 37), P (n = 8), and H (n = 21) groups. All patients had body tilt. Patients in the LM group showed body tilt to the ipsilesional side during hospitalization, while those in the P and H groups tilted to the contralesional side. All patients had rOLD at the final assessment at an average of 13 days after onset; patients in the P and H groups showed contralateral rOLD, while those in the LM group showed ipsilateral rOLD if they did not have cerebellar or pontine lesions. Significant decreases in the angle and changes in direction of rOLD according to lesion site were observed during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Serial changes in rOLD findings after stroke onset are different according to the responsible lesion. The direction of rOLD in most patients is in accordance with vertical perception after the acute stage of stroke.

Effect of cyborg-type robot Hybrid Assistive Limb on patients with severe walking disability in acute stroke: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether early gait training using Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is feasible and improves walking and independency compared with conventional physical therapy (CPT) in patients with severe walking disability after stroke. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, randomized controlled study. Patients with first-ever stroke who had severe walking disability were included. All patients started gait training within 10 days post-stroke onset. Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned into HAL or CPT groups. Outcome measures were collected at three time points, at baseline, completion of 20 sessions of gait training (second assessment), and 3 months after the initiation of gait training. The primary outcomes were changes in motor sub-scores of the Functional Independence Measure or Functional Ambulation Category at the completion of the second assessment from baseline. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (median age, 68 years; 12 patients in the HAL group and 10 patients in the CPT group) completed the study. There were no significant differences in primary outcomes. Apathy scale, one of the secondary outcomes, showed a decreasing trend in the HAL group (mean change of -3.8, 95% CI -8.14 to 0.475), and a slight increasing trend in the CPT group (mean change of 1.2, 95% CI -2.66 to 5.06) at the second assessment. Patients in the HAL group experienced no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Early gait training in patients with severe walking disability after stroke using HAL was feasible. Walking ability and independency were not improved at the completion of 20 sessions of gait training.

Acute stroke rehabilitation for gait training with cyborg type robot Hybrid Assistive Limb: A pilot study.

Robot-assisted gait training following acute stroke could allow patients with severe disability to receive a high dosage and intensity of gait training compared with conventional physical therapy (CP). However, given the limited data on gauging the efficacy of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) on gait training in patients with acute stroke, we aimed to evaluate several outcome measures following gait training with HAL. Patients with first-ever stroke, who required a walking aid and were able to start gait training within 1 week of stroke onset were included in the current study. Patients were assigned to either the CP or HAL group. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, and at the 2nd (at 2-6 weeks), and 3rd (at 3-5 months) assessments. All patients underwent physical therapy until the 3rd assessment; patients in the HAL group underwent gait training using HAL until the 2nd assessment. Thirty-seven patients (19 from CP and 18 from HAL, median age = 69 years) completed the study. At the 2nd assessment, the total Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score was higher in the HAL group than in the CP group (90.1 vs. 79.0, p = 0.042). In conclusion, the FIM scale could be used to identify responsiveness to acute stroke rehabilitation using HAL.