Footwear characteristics and foot problems in community dwelling people with stroke: a cross-sectional observational study.

PURPOSE: To explore footwear characteristics and foot problems in community dwelling people with stroke as most research to date focused on the general elderly population. METHODS: Thirty people with mild to moderate stroke (nine men, mean age 68, mean time since onset 67 months) attended a single session to assess footwear and foot problems using established podiatry foot (wear) and ankle assessments. RESULTS: Most participants wore slippers indoors (n = 17, 57%) and walking shoes outdoors (n = 11, 37%). Over half wore unsupportive ill-fitting shoes indoors and 47% of outdoor shoes fitted badly. All participants had foot problems (mean 6.5 (3.1), 95% CI: 5.4-7.7), including impaired single limb heel raise (93%), reduced range of movement (77%), sensation (47%), and muscle strength (43%). Many had foot-pain, hallux valgus (both 50%), or swollen feet (40%). Foot problems were associated with reduced balance confidence, activity, and community participation (all p < 0.05). A greater proportion of fallers (13/16) than non-fallers (4/14) reported foot problems (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Many community-dwelling people with stroke wore poorly fitting shoes; all had foot problems. Foot problems were linked to reduced mobility. Finding more effective pathways to support people with stroke to select supportive, well-fitting indoor and outdoor footwear is indicated.Implications for rehabilitationPeople with stroke often wear unsupportive ill-fitting shoes and experience foot problems.Assessment of foot problems and footwear advice should be considered during stroke rehabilitation particularly when interventions target fall prevention or improvements in balance and mobility.Information on appropriate footwear and signposting that new shoe purchases should include measuring feet to ensure a good fit is recommended.

A novel approach for modelling and classifying sit-to-stand kinematics using inertial sensors.

Sit-to-stand transitions are an important part of activities of daily living and play a key role in functional mobility in humans. The sit-to-stand movement is often affected in older adults due to frailty and in patients with motor impairments such as Parkinson's disease leading to falls. Studying kinematics of sit-to-stand transitions can provide insight in assessment, monitoring and developing rehabilitation strategies for the affected populations. We propose a three-segment body model for estimating sit-to-stand kinematics using only two wearable inertial sensors, placed on the shank and back. Reducing the number of sensors to two instead of one per body segment facilitates monitoring and classifying movements over extended periods, making it more comfortable to wear while reducing the power requirements of sensors. We applied this model on 10 younger healthy adults (YH), 12 older healthy adults (OH) and 12 people with Parkinson's disease (PwP). We have achieved this by incorporating unique sit-to-stand classification technique using unsupervised learning in the model based reconstruction of angular kinematics using extended Kalman filter. Our proposed model showed that it was possible to successfully estimate thigh kinematics despite not measuring the thigh motion with inertial sensor. We classified sit-to-stand transitions, sitting and standing states with the accuracies of 98.67%, 94.20% and 91.41% for YH, OH and PwP respectively. We have proposed a novel integrated approach of modelling and classification for estimating the body kinematics during sit-to-stand motion and successfully applied it on YH, OH and PwP groups.

Participant expectations and experiences of a tailored physiotherapy intervention for people with Parkinson's and a history of falls.

PURPOSE: People with Parkinson's are twice as likely to fall as older people within the general population. This longitudinal qualitative study was part of a larger programme of research including a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a tailored physiotherapy intervention. Specific qualitative aims focused on a subsample of trial participants in the intervention arm of the trial, and comprised the following:To explore the expectations of participants about the intervention.To investigate participants' experiences of the intervention, and its perceived impacts.To understand the facilitators and barriers to engagement. METHODS: Two semi-structured interviews were completed with a theoretical sample of people with Parkinson's from the intervention arm, initially after randomisation but before the intervention commenced, and then again six months later. RESULTS: Forty-two participants out of a large clinical trial were interviewed initially, with 37 agreeing to a second interview at six months. Prior experience of rehabilitation plus information accessed through the trial consent procedure informed participants' realistic expectations. Most found the level of the intervention acceptable, and perceived a range of benefits. However, views about equipment provided were more equivocal. The biggest barriers to participation were time and motivation, whilst social support facilitated engagement with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to capture expectations about participation in a programme of exercises and strategies. It highlights that previous challenges to engagement in physical exercises and activities are not a barrier to future participation and provides new insights into the role of equipment and technology in programmes of physical activity for people with Parkinson's. The challenge of ensuring that programmes of exercise and strategies become an embedded feature of everyday life is highlighted, particularly alongside busy social engagements and leisure pursuits.Implications for rehabilitationFor people with Parkinsons, a programme of exercises and strategies has the potential to reduce the risk of falls amongst those with a history of falling.Adherence to such programmes can prove challenging for a variety of reasons, even when participants have realistic expectations about the commitment and effort needed.Clear explanations about the role of equipment and technology within such programmes could enhance adherence.In order to further individualise programmes of exercise for people with Parkinsons, choice regarding social support, reminders and integration into everyday activities should be explored.

Cost-effectiveness of the PDSAFE personalised physiotherapy intervention for fall prevention in Parkinson's: an economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: PDSAFE is an individually-tailored, physiotherapist-delivered, balance, strength and strategy training programme aimed at preventing falls among people with Parkinson's. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of PDSAFE compared with usual care for people with Parkinson's at higher risk of falling, from a UK National Health Service and Personal Social Service perspective. METHODS: Resource use and quality of life data (EQ-5D-3L) were collected from 238 participants randomised to the PDSAFE intervention and 236 participants randomised to control, at baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary outcome), and 12 months. Adjusted cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated using generalised linear models and uncertainty estimated using a non-parametric bootstrap. RESULTS: Over 6 months, the PDSAFE intervention was associated with an incremental cost of £925 (95% CI £428 to £1422) and a very small and statistically insignificant QALY gain of 0.008 (95% CI - 0.006 to 0.021). The resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was £120,659 per QALY and the probability of the intervention being cost-effective at a UK threshold of £30,000/QALY was less than 1%. The ICER varied substantially across subgroups although no subgroup had an ICER lower than the £30,000 threshold. The result was sensitive to the time horizon with the ICER reducing to £55,176 per QALY when adopting a 12-month time horizon and assuming a sustained treatment effect on QoL, nevertheless, the intervention was still not cost-effective according to the current UK threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this trial suggests that the PDSAFE intervention is unlikely to be cost-effective at 6 months. The 12-month analysis suggested that the intervention became closer to being cost-effective if quality of life effects were sustained beyond the intervention period, however this would require confirmation. Further research, including qualitative studies, should be conducted to better understand the treatment effect of physiotherapy and its impact on quality of life in people with Parkinson's given existing mixed evidence on this topic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN48152791. Registered 17 April 2014. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN48152791.

The trouble with footwear following stroke: a qualitative study of the views and experience of people with stroke.

Purpose: Foot problems and suboptimal footwear are risk factors for falls among the elderly. Footwear choice may, therefore, be important for people with balance impairment following stroke, but little is known about their experience. This study explored foot problems experienced following stroke, factors influencing footwear choices and views of footwear in use.Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 15 people with stroke, purposively sampled from respondents to a screening survey.Results: Participants typically experienced impaired mobility with balance problems and felt at risk of falling. Stroke related foot problems, including altered sensation, edema, and foot drop, predominantly on the stroke affected side, influenced footwear priorities. Footwear choices prioritized comfort, security, and convenience, sometimes in tension with concern about appearance. Challenges included choosing appropriate indoor footwear and finding shoes to accommodate their orthoses and edema. Participants highlighted perceived lack of footwear advice from health care professionals and variable experience of shoe shopping.Conclusions: Foot problems, as well as gait and balance impairment, have implications for footwear priorities following stroke, but people felt unsupported in making healthy footwear choices. Health care professionals could be trained to routinely deliver footwear assessment and advice and facilitate referrals to podiatrist, when appropriate.Implications for rehabilitationFoot problems, as well as gait and balance impairment, have implications for footwear priorities following stroke.People with stroke perceive a lack of professional advice about footwear and feel unsupported making healthy footwear choices.Health care professionals could be trained to routinely deliver an initial footwear assessment and advice as part of stroke rehabilitation.A greater transparency and knowledge of referral pathways into podiatry services for Health care professionals and patients would give access to specialist advice where appropriate.

Exercise- and strategy-based physiotherapy-delivered intervention for preventing repeat falls in people with Parkinson's: the PDSAFE RCT.

BACKGROUND: People with Parkinson's disease are twice as likely to experience a fall as a healthy older person, often leading to debilitating effects on confidence, activity levels and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of a physiotherapy programme for fall prevention among people with Parkinson's disease. DESIGN: A multicentre, pragmatic, investigator-masked, individually randomised controlled trial (RCT) with prespecified subgroup analyses. SETTING: Recruitment from NHS hospitals and clinics and community and social services in eight English regions with home-based interventions. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 474 people with Parkinson's disease (i.e. Hoehn and Yahr scale stages 1-4) were recruited: 238 were assigned to a physiotherapy programme and 236 were assigned to usual care. Random allocation was 50 : 50. INTERVENTIONS: All participants received routine care; the usual-care group received an information digital versatile disc (DVD) and a single advice session at trial completion. The intervention group had an individually tailored, progressive, home-based fall avoidance strategy training programme with balance and strengthening exercises: PDSAFE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the risk of repeat falling, collected by self-report monthly diaries between 0 and 6 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included near-falls, falls efficacy, freezing of gait (FoG), health-related quality of life, and measurements taken using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), the Chair Stand Test (CST), the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire. RESULTS: PDSAFE is the largest RCT of falls management among people with Parkinson's disease: 541 patients were screened for eligibility. The average age was 72 years, and 266 out of 474 (56%) participants were men. Of the 474 randomised participants, 238 were randomised to the intervention group and 236 were randomised to the control group. No difference in repeat falling within 6 months of randomisation was found [PDSAFE group to control group odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 1.98; p = 0.447]. An analysis of secondary outcomes demonstrated better balance (Mini-BESTest: mean difference 0.95, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.67; p = 0.009), functional strength (CST: p = 0.041) and falls efficacy (Falls Efficacy Scale - International: mean difference 1.6, 95% CI -3.0 to -0.19; p = 0.026) with near-falling significantly reduced with PDSAFE (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86; p = 0.001) at 6 months. Prespecified subgroup analysis (i.e. disease severity and FoG) revealed a PDSAFE differing effect; the intervention may be of benefit for people with moderate disease but may increase falling for those in the more severe category, especially those with FoG. LIMITATIONS: All participants were assessed at primary outcome; only 73% were assessed at 12 months owing to restricted funding. CONCLUSIONS: PDSAFE was not effective in reducing repeat falling across the range of people with Parkinson's disease in the trial. Secondary analysis demonstrated that other functional tasks and self-efficacy improved and demonstrated differential patterns of intervention impact in accordance with disease severity and FoG, which supports previous secondary research findings and merits further primary evaluation. FUTURE WORK: Further trials of falls prevention on targeted groups of people with Parkinson's disease are recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48152791. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 36. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Sarah E Lamb is funded by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and CLAHRC Oxford. Victoria A Goodwin is supported by the NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care in the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC). Lynn Rochester is supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre based at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University. The research was also supported by the NIHR Newcastle Clinical Research Facility Infrastructure funding. Helen C Roberts is supported by CLAHRC Wessex and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.

People with Parkinson's disease fall often. Falls are scary and make moving about harder. The PDSAFE trial tested a new 'home physiotherapy' programme for reducing falls. People with Parkinson's disease were allocated to one of two groups by chance: they either received the PDSAFE exercises or just normal care. The costs were looked at and people were asked for their views of the PDSAFE exercises. To take part, people had to have Parkinson's disease, live in their own home, be able to walk, have had at least one fall in the previous year and pass a memory test. PDSAFE was taught by physiotherapists and included exercises and fall avoidance strategies. Everyone had to record falls on a monthly calendar, and balance, strength and walking were tested. To our knowledge, this was the largest falls trial looking at people with Parkinson's disease in the world: 541 people took part. The number of falls an individual reported differed a lot between people. When all people with Parkinson's disease in the trial were considered, the physiotherapy programme did not reduce falls in the first 6 months. However, it was found that some people had fewer falls after taking part in the exercises, whereas others did not. Those with more severe Parkinson's disease (i.e. problems with movement, memory and freezing of gait) fell more often after the PDSAFE intervention, even though their balance and confidence improved. Those with good memory, moderate disease and two or three falls in the previous year reacted well to PDSAFE and had fewer falls. It was found that PDSAFE reduced near-falls (about to fall but managed to save themselves) and improved balance and confidence. The physiotherapists and those who took part liked the programme and felt that it helped, but it was expensive to run. In conclusion, a falls prevention programme should be based on each person's needs and a different treatment should be used for those with more severe Parkinson's disease.

Multicentre, randomised controlled trial of PDSAFE, a physiotherapist-delivered fall prevention programme for people with Parkinson's.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of a physiotherapist-delivered fall prevention programme for people with Parkinson's (PwP). METHODS: People at risk of falls with confirmed Parkinson's were recruited to this multicentre, pragmatic, investigator blind, individually randomised controlled trial with prespecified subgroup analyses. 474 PwP (Hoehn and Yahr 1-4) were randomised: 238 allocated to a physiotherapy programme and 236 to control. All participants had routine care; the control group received a DVD about Parkinson's and single advice session at trial completion. The intervention group (PDSAFE) had an individually tailored, progressive home-based fall avoidance strategy training programme with balance and strengthening exercises. The primary outcome was risk of repeat falling, collected by self-report monthly diaries, 0-6 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included Mini-BESTest for balance, chair stand test, falls efficacy, freezing of gait, health-related quality of life (EuroQol EQ-5D), Geriatric Depression Scale, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, fractures and rate of near falling. RESULTS: Average age is 72 years and 266 (56%) were men. By 6 months, 116 (55%) of the control group and 125 (61.5%) of the intervention group reported repeat falls (controlled OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.98, p=0.447). Secondary subgroup analyses suggested a different response to the intervention between moderate and severe disease severity groups. Balance, falls efficacy and chair stand time improved with near falls reduced in the intervention arm. CONCLUSION: PDSAFE did not reduce falling in this pragmatic trial of PwP. Other functional tasks improved and reduced fall rates were apparent among those with moderate disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN48152791.

"Staying safe" - a narrative review of falls prevention in people with Parkinson's - "PDSAFE".

Background: Parkinson's disease demonstrates a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Falling is common and disabling. Current medical management shows minimal impact to reduce falls or fall-related risk factors, such as deficits in gait, strength, and postural instability. Despite evidence supporting rehabilitation in reducing fall risk factors, the most appropriate intervention to reduce overall fall rate remains inconclusive. This article aims to 1) synthesise current evidence and conceptual models of falls rehabilitation in Parkinson's in a narrative review; and based on this evidence, 2) introduce the treatment protocol used in the falls prevention and multi-centre clinical trial "PDSAFE". Method: Search of four bibliographic databases using the terms "Parkinson*" and "Fall*" combined with each of the following; "Rehab*, Balanc*, Strength*, Strateg*and Exercis*" and a framework for narrative review was followed. A total of 3557 papers were identified, 416 were selected for review. The majority report the impact of rehabilitation on isolated fall risk factors. Twelve directly measure the impact on overall fall rate. Discussion: Results were used to construct a narrative review with conceptual discussion based on the "International Classification of Functioning", leading to presentation of the "PDSAFE" intervention protocol. Conclusions: Evidence suggests training single, fall risk factors may not affect overall fall rate. Combining with behavioural and strategy training in a functional, personalised multi-dimensional model, addressing all components of the "International Classification of Functioning" is likely to provide a greater influence on falls reduction. "PDSAFE" is a multi-dimensional, physiotherapist delivered, individually tailored, progressive, home-based programme. It is designed with a strong evidence-based approach and illustrates a model for the clinical delivery of the conceptual theory discussed. Implications for Rehabilitation Parkinson's disease demonstrates a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms, where falling is common and disabling. Current medical and surgical management have minimal impact on falls, rehabilitation of falls risk factors has strong evidence but the most appropriate intervention to reduce overall fall rate remains inconclusive. Addressing all components of the International Classification of Function in a multifactorial model when designing falls rehabilitation interventions may be more effective at reducing fall rates in people with Parkinson's than treating isolated risk factors. The clinical model for falls rehabilitation in people with Parkinson's should be multi-dimensional.

Identifying balance impairments in people with Parkinson's disease using video and wearable sensors.

BACKGROUND: Falls and near falls are common among people with Parkinson's (PwP). To date, most wearable sensor research focussed on fall detection, few studies explored if wearable sensors can detect instability. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can instability (caution or near-falls) be detected using wearable sensors in comparison to video analysis? METHODS: Twenty-four people (aged 60-86) with and without Parkinson's were recruited from community groups. Movements (e.g. walking, turning, transfers and reaching) were observed in the gait laboratory and/or at home; recorded using clinical measures, video and five wearable sensors (attached on the waist, ankles and wrists). After defining 'caution' and 'instability', two researchers evaluated video data and a third the raw wearable sensor data; blinded to each other's evaluations. Agreement between video and sensor data was calculated on stability, timing, step count and strategy. RESULTS: Data was available for 117 performances: 82 (70%) appeared stable on video. Ratings agreed in 86/117 cases (74%). Highest agreement was noted for chair transfer, timed up and go test and 3 m walks. Video analysts noted caution (slow, contained movements, safety-enhancing postures and concentration) and/or instability (saving reactions, stopping after stumbling or veering) in 40/134 performances (30%): raw wearable sensor data identified 16/35 performances rated cautious or unstable (sensitivity 46%) and 70/82 rated stable (specificity 85%). There was a 54% chance that a performance identified from wearable sensors as cautious/unstable was so; rising to 80% for stable movements. SIGNIFICANCE: Agreement between wearable sensor and video data suggested that wearable sensors can detect subtle instability and near-falls. Caution and instability were observed in nearly a third of performances, suggesting that simple, mildly challenging actions, with clearly defined start- and end-points, may be most amenable to monitoring during free-living at home. Using the genuine near-falls recorded, work continues to automatically detect subtle instability using algorithms.

It takes two: the influence of dance partners on the perceived enjoyment and benefits during participation in partnered ballroom dance classes for people with Parkinson's.

PURPOSE: To explore the views of people with Parkinson's and their dance partners on the influence and issues surrounding dancing with an able-bodied dance partner during partnered ball room dance classes. METHODS: In depth, semi-structured interviews explored purposively selected participants' experiences and views about dance classes. Fourteen people with Parkinson's and their dance partners (six spouses, two friends/relatives, five volunteers) were interviewed within a month of completing the 10-week dance class program. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Generally, those partnered with a spouse or an experienced dancer, or when dance couples were able to develop good rapport, gained greater enjoyment and sense of achievement from dance classes in comparison to couples who did not enjoy dancing together or had clashing approaches to dance. Managing and negotiating who would "lead" in a dance was challenging for dance couples particularly among male people with Parkinson's. CONCLUSIONS: People with Parkinson's experience of the dance classes were influenced by the relationship and compatibility with their dance partner. Dance partnerships may impact on recruitment, enjoyment, outcome and continued participation in dance classes. Potential effects of partnerships should be analyzed and reported in studies evaluating the outcomes of dance classes. Implications for rehabilitation We recommend that health professionals consider involving spouses in Parkinson's dance classes as this may improve recruitment, adherence, enjoyment and overall outcome of the dance classes. If volunteers are needed, aim to recruit those who already have good dancing ability, convey a love of dancing and have the sensitivity and social skills to interact positively with the person with Parkinson's. Consider dance partnership issues when advertising and promoting dance classes. Address partnership issues through open communication and by changing partners if the dance partnership is not working well.

A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial after stroke (AVERT): a Phase III, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobilising patients early after stroke [early mobilisation (EM)] is thought to contribute to the beneficial effects of stroke unit care but it is poorly defined and lacks direct evidence of benefit. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effectiveness of frequent higher dose very early mobilisation (VEM) after stroke. DESIGN: We conducted a parallel-group, single-blind, prospective randomised controlled trial with blinded end-point assessment using a web-based computer-generated stratified randomisation. SETTING: The trial took place in 56 acute stroke units in five countries. PARTICIPANTS: We included adult patients with a first or recurrent stroke who met physiological inclusion criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either usual stroke unit care (UC) or UC plus VEM commencing within 24 hours of stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was good recovery [modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0-2] 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcomes at 3 months were the mRS, time to achieve walking 50 m, serious adverse events, quality of life (QoL) and costs at 12 months. Tertiary outcomes included a dose-response analysis. DATA SOURCES: Patients, outcome assessors and investigators involved in the trial were blinded to treatment allocation. RESULTS: We recruited 2104 (UK, n = 610; Australasia, n = 1494) patients: 1054 allocated to VEM and 1050 to UC. Intervention protocol targets were achieved. Compared with UC, VEM patients mobilised 4.8 hours [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1 to 5.7 hours; p < 0.0001] earlier, with an additional three (95% CI 3.0 to 3.5; p < 0.0001) mobilisation sessions per day. Fewer patients in the VEM group (n = 480, 46%) had a favourable outcome than in the UC group (n = 525, 50%) (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.90; p = 0.004). Results were consistent between Australasian and UK settings. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes at 3 months and QoL at 12 months. Dose-response analysis found a consistent pattern of an improved odds of efficacy and safety outcomes in association with increased daily frequency of out-of-bed sessions but a reduced odds with an increased amount of mobilisation (minutes per day). LIMITATIONS: UC clinicians started mobilisation earlier each year altering the context of the trial. Other potential confounding factors included staff patient interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the VEM group were mobilised earlier and with a higher dose of therapy than those in the UC group, which was already early. This VEM protocol was associated with reduced odds of favourable outcome at 3 months cautioning against very early high-dose mobilisation. At 12 months, health-related QoL was similar regardless of group. Shorter, more frequent mobilisation early after stroke may be associated with a more favourable outcome. FUTURE WORK: These results informed a new trial proposal [A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial - DOSE (AVERT-DOSE)] aiming to determine the optimal frequency and dose of EM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12606000185561, Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN98129255 and ISRCTN98129255. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 21, No. 54. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Funding was also received from the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia, Singapore Health, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, and the Stroke Association. In addition, National Health and Medical Research Council fellowship funding was provided to Julie Bernhardt (1058635), who also received fellowship funding from the Australia Research Council (0991086) and the National Heart Foundation (G04M1571). The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, which hosted the trial, acknowledges the support received from the Victorian Government via the Operational Infrastructure Support Scheme.

Dance for Parkinson's-The effects on whole body co-ordination during turning around.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ballroom and Latin American dancing classes on turning in people with Parkinson's. DESIGN: This study employed a randomised, controlled, experimental design. SETTING: Dance classes were performed in a community dance centre in Southern England and all assessments took place a gait laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven people with mild-moderate Parkinson's participated. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly allocated to receive either 20, 1-h dancing classes over 10 weeks (n=15), or a 'usual care' control group (n=12). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Twelve, 180° on-the-spot turns to the predicted/un-predicted and preferred/un-preferred direction were analysed for each participant, using 3-dimensional motion analysis before and after the intervention period, alongside clinical measures. RESULTS: Movement of the head, pelvis, and feet during turning in people with Parkinson's are affected by dancing with tighter coupling of body segments. Significant 4-way interactions between the groups, over time and turn style, with longer latency of the head (p=0.008) and greater rotation in the pelvis (p=0.036), alongside a trend of slower movement of the first (p=0.063) and second (p=0.081) foot in controls were shown, with minimal change in dancers. All interactions were affected by the type of turn. No significant differences were found in the centre of mass displacement, turn time or clinical measures. CONCLUSION: Those who danced were better able to coordinate their axial and perpendicular segments and surprisingly became more 'en bloc' in their turning behaviour, suggesting this may be a beneficial adaptation, rather than a maladaptive result of Parkinson's, as previously suggested.

Accessing rehabilitation after stroke - a guessing game?

AIM: To explore the use, meaning and value of the term "rehabilitation potential". METHOD: The authors of this commentary met to discuss concerns relating to the pressure on health service staff created by reduced length of stay in acute settings of those who have suffered a stroke and the need to determine the potential of a patient for rehabilitation in order to inform discharge arrangements. Points raised at this meeting were shared with an email group who over a 12-month period contributed to this paper. RESULTS: The group agreed that: (a) Given that there is very limited evidence to guide judgements regarding rehabilitation potential following stroke at an early stage the need for rehabilitation needs to be reviewed on a regular basis over a long period and that this needs to be reflected in clinical guidelines. (b) Rehabilitation needs to be available in a broad range of care settings, in order that discharge from hospital is not equated with a lack of rehabilitation potential. (c) Research related to rehabilitation potential needs to be conducted. This should examine influences of decision-making and the algorithms associated with recovery and local policy on rehabilitation potential. (d) The economic benefits of rehabilitation needs further exploration. (e) Assessment of rehabilitation potential should be made more explicit and supported by appropriate evidence. CONCLUSION: Whilst further research is required to assist in determining the right time for people to benefit from formal rehabilitation this gives the impression that one dose of rehabilitation at a specific time will meet all needs. It is likely that a rehabilitation pathway identifying features required in the early stages following stroke as well as that required over many years in order to prevent readmission, maintain fitness and prevent secondary sequelae such as depression and social isolation would be beneficial. Implications for Rehabilitation The potential of a patient to benefit from rehabilitation may be overlooked due to other pressures. Some patients following a stroke will demonstrate potential to benefit from rehabilitation later than the majority and this is not always easy to predict. Regular reassessment is required in order to identify whether an individual will benefit from rehabilitation at a particular time.

A survey exploring self-reported indoor and outdoor footwear habits, foot problems and fall status in people with stroke and Parkinson's.

BACKGROUND: Ill-fitting shoes have been implicated as a risk factor for falls but research to date has focused on people with arthritis, diabetes and the general older population; little is known about people with neurological conditions. This survey for people with stroke and Parkinson's explored people's choice of indoor and outdoor footwear, foot problems and fall history. METHODS: Following ethical approval, 1000 anonymous postal questionnaires were distributed to health professionals, leads of Parkinson's UK groups and stroke clubs in the wider Southampton area, UK. These collaborators handed out survey packs to people with a confirmed diagnosis of stroke or Parkinson's. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty three completed surveys were returned (218 from people with Parkinson's and 145 from people with stroke). Most respondents wore slippers indoors and walking shoes outdoors and considered comfort and fit the most important factors when buying footwear. Foot problems were reported by 43 % (95 % confidence intervals 36 to 52 %; stroke) and 53 % (95 % confidence interval 46 to 59 %; Parkinson's) of respondents; over 50 % had never accessed foot care support. Fifty percent of all respondents reported falls. In comparison to non-fallers, a greater proportion of fallers reported foot problems (57 %), with greater proportions reporting problems impacting on balance and influencing choice of footwear (p < 0.01) in comparison to non-fallers in each case. Forty-seven percent of fallers with foot problems had not accessed foot care support. CONCLUSIONS: Many people with stroke and Parkinson's wear slippers indoors. A high percentage of these individuals reported both foot problems and falls impacting on footwear habits and choice of footwear; however many did not receive foot care support. These findings highlight that further exploration of footwear and foot problems in these populations is warranted to provide evidence based advice on safe and appropriate footwear to support rehabilitation and fall prevention.

Could In-Home Sensors Surpass Human Observation of People with Parkinson's at High Risk of Falling? An Ethnographic Study.

Self-report underpins our understanding of falls among people with Parkinson's (PwP) as they largely happen unwitnessed at home. In this qualitative study, we used an ethnographic approach to investigate which in-home sensors, in which locations, could gather useful data about fall risk. Over six weeks, we observed five independently mobile PwP at high risk of falling, at home. We made field notes about falls (prior events and concerns) and recorded movement with video, Kinect, and wearable sensors. The three women and two men (aged 71 to 79 years) having moderate or severe Parkinson's were dependent on others and highly sedentary. We most commonly noted balance protection, loss, and restoration during chair transfers, walks across open spaces and through gaps, turns, steps up and down, and tasks in standing (all evident walking between chair and stairs, e.g.). Our unobtrusive sensors were acceptable to participants: they could detect instability during everyday activity at home and potentially guide intervention. Monitoring the route between chair and stairs is likely to give information without invading the privacy of people at high risk of falling, with very limited mobility, who spend most of the day in their sitting rooms.

A multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of PDSAFE to prevent falls among people with Parkinson's: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Falls amongst people with Parkinson's (PwP) result in significant disability and reduced quality of life. There is emerging evidence that exercise-based and physiotherapeutic interventions are of benefit for improving fall risk factors, such as balance. However, the benefit, in terms of preventing falls, is mixed. The development of effective interventions has been identified as the highest research priority for this population. The aim of this trial is to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel, home-based physiotherapy programme, compared with usual care, on falls amongst PwP. METHODS/DESIGN: A UK multi-centre, community-based, single blind, randomised controlled trial with twelve month follow-up, and nested economic evaluation and qualitative studies will be undertaken. Six hundred PwP who live in their own home, have had one or more falls in the previous year and an MMSE score of ≥24 will be recruited. Those living in care homes and those needing assistance from another person to walk indoors will not be eligible. The intervention is a physiotherapist delivered, individually tailored and progressive, home-based programme (PDSAFE) comprising task orientated movement strategy training, functional lower limb strengthening and balance training, of six months duration. Unsupervised daily home exercises and strategies will be practised and supported using technology. Control participants will receive usual care. Data collection will include falls, cognitive state, balance and mobility, fear of falling, freezing of gait, mood, quality of life, carer quality of life and resource use. Data will be collected at baseline, three, six and twelve months. Longitudinal semi-structured interviews will be undertaken with forty participants to explore the expectations and experiences of participants. The primary outcome is risk of repeat falling at six months post-randomisation. DISCUSSION: The aims of this trial are to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel, home-delivered physiotherapy intervention (PDSAFE) compared with usual care on risk of falling for PwP who have a history of falling. PDSAFE is a novel intervention that builds upon the existing literature and targeting known risk factors, being the first study that uses a novel delivery modus (technology) in conjunction with traditional physiotherapeutic approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48152791.

Physical inactivity post-stroke: a 3-year longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To explore change in activity levels post-stroke. METHODS: We measured activity levels using the activPAL™ in hospital and at 1, 2 and 3 years' post-stroke onset. RESULTS: Of the 74 participants (mean age 76 (SD 11), 39 men), 61 were assessed in hospital: 94% of time was spent in sitting/lying, 4% standing and 2% walking. Activity levels improved over time (complete cases n = 15); time spent sitting/lying decreased (p = 0.001); time spent standing, walking and number of steps increased (p = 0.001, p = 0.028 and p = 0.03, respectively). At year 3, 18% of time was spent in standing and 9% walking. Time spent upright correlated significantly with Barthel (r = 0.69 on admission, r = 0.68 on discharge, both p < 0.01) and functional ambulation category scores (r = 0.55 on admission, 0.63 on discharge, both p < 0.05); correlations remained significant at all assessment points. Depression (in hospital), left hemisphere infarction (Years 1-2), visual neglect (Year 2), poor mobility and balance (Years 1-3) correlated with poorer activity levels. CONCLUSION: People with stroke were inactive for the majority of time. Time spent upright improved significantly by 1 year post-stroke; improvements slowed down thereafter. Poor activity levels correlated with physical and psychological measures. Larger studies are indicated to identify predictors of activity levels. Implications for Rehabilitation Activity levels (measured using activPAL™ activity monitor), increased significantly by 1 year post-stroke but improvements slowed down at 2 and 3 years. People with stroke were inactive for the majority of their day in hospital and in the community. Poor activity levels correlated with physical and psychological measures. Larger studies are indicated to identify the most important predictors of activity levels.

A narrative review of turning deficits in people with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: Clinically, people with Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrate a loss of axial rotation of the spine often described as moving "enbloc", with little dissociation between the head, trunk and lower limbs whilst turning. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore the behaviour and relationship of the reported deficits during whole body turning in people with PD, compared to controls. Better understanding of the relationship and impact of the deficits will permit the development of tailored and novel intervention strategies to improve functional performance in turning for people with PD. METHODS: Four electronic databases with the search terms: Parkinson* and turn* were used. RESULTS: Seventy-seven papers were reviewed. Turning deficits in people with PD were identified as originating from two hypothetical body segments - perpendicular (i.e. legs) or axial (i.e. head, trunk and pelvis) segments and the relationship between them discussed. CONCLUSION: Specific movement deficits in turning in people with PD can be categorised into axial and perpendicular deficits. Synthesis of the literature suggests the possibility of axial deficits driving secondary responses in the perpendicular segments. This should be explored when designing rehabilitation aimed at improving turning performance, as current therapy guidelines focus on exercises emphasising perpendicular aspects. Implications for Rehabilitation Turning performance is compromised in people with PD, which can lead to significant disability, falls and loss of function. Specific movement deficits can be categorised into perpendicular deficits (taking more steps and shorter steps and an altered turn strategy) and axial deficits (segment rigidity, altered segment co-ordination and timing, reduced segment rotation and the effects of altered posture). Axial deficits may drive secondary responses in the perpendicular segments during turning in people with PD. Therefore, specific focus should be made to the rehabilitation of the axial deficits alongside those of the perpendicular body segments in the design of multi-modal treatment strategies to improve turning performance.

Postural alignment is altered in people with chronic stroke and related to motor and functional performance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Trunk control is impaired after stroke but little is known about how changes in posture relate to other deficits. We examined spinal postural alignment in people with chronic stroke and explored the relationship between postural alignment and clinical measures. METHODS: Twenty-one subjects with stroke and 22 age-matched healthy comparison subjects participated in this observational, cross-sectional study. Data collection included measurements of thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and overall postural alignment in the sagittal plane in both sitting and standing. Measurements were made in different postures, including: upright, flexed forward, and extended backward. Clinical outcome measures included the Trunk Impairment Scale and its subscales, Fugl-Meyer Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, and Stroke Impact Scale. RESULTS: Significant deviations in postural alignment for participants with stroke compared with comparison subjects were apparent in sacral alignment (P < 0.02) and overall postural alignment (P < 0.01) in standing. These measurements were also significantly correlated with clinical outcome measures poststroke. Participants with stroke who had a more forward leaning posture when upright scored worse on the coordination subscale of the Trunk Impairment Scale (r = -0.61) and Berg Balance Scale (r = -0.64). Participants with greater anterior pelvic tilt when flexed forward and more overall inclination when flexed forward and extended backward scored better on the Trunk Impairment Scale, its subscales, and Berg Balance Scale (r = -0.6-0.7). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: People with chronic stroke have altered postural alignment in standing compared with subjects without neurological deficits. Investigating interventions focusing on increasing anterior and posterior pelvic tilt seem warranted.Video Abstract available. See video (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A76) for more insights from the authors.

A design to investigate the feasibility and effects of partnered ballroom dancing on people with Parkinson disease: randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Self-help and physical leisure activities has become increasingly important in the maintenance of safe and functional mobility among an increasingly elderly population. Preventing the cycle of deterioration, falling, inactivity, dependency, and secondary complications in people with Parkinson disease (PD) is a priority. Research has shown that people with PD are interested in dance and although the few existing trials are small, initial proof of principle trials from the United States have demonstrated beneficial effects on balance control, gait, and activity levels. To our knowledge, there has been no research into long-term effects, cost effectiveness, the influence on spinal posture and turning, or the personal insights of dance participants. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the methodological feasibility of conducting a definitive phase III trial to evaluate the benefits of dance in people with PD. We will build on the proof of principle trials by addressing gaps in knowledge, focusing on areas of greatest methodological uncertainty; the choice of dances and intensity of the program; for the main trial, the availability of partners, the suitability of the currently envisaged primary outcomes, balance and spinal posture; and the key costs of delivering and participating in a dance program to inform economic evaluation. METHODS: Fifty participants (mild-to-moderate condition) will be randomized to the control (usual care) or experimental (dance plus usual care) groups at a ratio of 15:35. Dance will be taught by professional teachers in a dance center in the South of England. Each participant in the experimental group will dance with his or her spouse, a friend, or a partner from a bank of volunteers. A blinded assessor will complete clinical measures and self-reported ability at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months after randomization. A qualitative study of a subgroup of participants and partners will examine user's views about the appropriateness and acceptability of the intervention, assessment protocol, and general trial procedures. Procedures for an economic evaluation of dance for health care will be developed for the main trial. RESULTS: Recruitment began in January 2013 and the last participant is expected to complete the trial follow-up in June 2014. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our study may provide novel insights into the way people with PD become involved in dance, their views and opinions, and the suitability of our primary and secondary outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 63088686; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN63088686/63088686 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6QYyjehP7).