Success of promotion strategies for a stroke rehabilitation protocol

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To prospectively evaluate the success of promotion strategies for a protocol of motor rehabilitation strategies for patients with stroke at Albert Einstein Hospital. METHODS In a clinical trial of neuromodulation and rehabilitation for patients with stroke, conventional methods of dissemination and publications about the research protocol in social networks or on the hospital's website were performed. Frequencies of types of advertisements that reached potentially eligible subjects were calculated. RESULTS Data from 80 potentially eligible patients were analyzed. The types of ads that motivated contacts more frequently were social media (38.8%) and information provided to physicians from other hospitals (23.8%) (p=0,288). The frequencies of contacts motivated by publications on the internet (53%) and conventional strategies (47%) were similar. Facebook was the digital strategy associated with the higher number of contacts, followed by the hospital's website. CONCLUSION Social networks and websites can be as effective as traditional methods of advertisement, in order to reach patients for stroke rehabilitation protocols. These results may have an impact on the planning of clinical trials, including studies that evaluate effects of rehabilitation interventions in patients with stroke.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar prospectivamente o sucesso de estratégias de divulgação de um protocolo de reabilitação motora para indivíduos com doenças cerebrovasculares no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE). MÉTODOS Um ensaio clínico de neuromodulação e reabilitação para indivíduos com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e paresia do membro superior utilizou meios de divulgação digitais e meios tradicionais, não digitais. Foram calculadas frequências das modalidades de divulgação que alcançaram indivíduos potencialmente elegíveis para o protocolo. RESULTADOS Foram analisados dados de 80 indivíduos que manifestaram interesse em participar da pesquisa. As formas de divulgação mais frequentes que motivaram o contato foram redes sociais (38,8%) e informações fornecidas a médicos externos ao HIAE (23,8%). As frequências de contatos motivados por publicações na internet (53%) foram semelhantes às de contatos motivados por divulgações convencionais (47%) (p=0,288). Em relação às publicações sobre a pesquisa na internet, a divulgação pelo Facebook foi a mais eficiente, seguida pelo site do HIAE. CONCLUSÃO A divulgação de um protocolo de pesquisa em reabilitação por meio de publicações em redes sociais e sites pode ser tão eficaz quanto estratégias convencionais de comunicação. Estes resultados podem ter impacto no planejamento de ensaios clínicos, incluindo os que têm por objetivo avaliar efeitos de intervenções de reabilitação em indivíduos com AVC.

Health, function and disability in stroke patients in the community

ABSTRACT Background Stroke patients commonly have impairments associated with reduction in functionality. Among these impairments, the motor impairments are the most prevalent. The functional profile of these patients living in the community who are users of the primary health-care services in Brazil has not yet been established Objective To describe the functional profile of stroke patients who are users of the primary health-care services in Brazil, looking at one health-care unit in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Method From medical records and home visits, data were collected regarding health status, assistance received following the stroke, personal and environmental contextual factors, function and disability, organized according to the conceptual framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Test and instruments commonly applied in the assessment of stroke patients were used. Results Demographic data from all stroke patients who were users of the health-care unit (n=44, age: 69.23±13.12 years and 67±66.52 months since the stroke) participated of this study. Most subjects presented with disabilities, as changes in emotional function, muscle strength, and mobility, risks of falling during functional activities, negative self-perception of quality of life, and perception of the environment factors were perceived as obstacles. The majority of the patients used the health-care unit to renew drug prescriptions, and did not receive any information on stroke from health professionals, even though patients believed it was important for patients to receive information and to provide clarifications. Conclusion Stroke patients who used primary health-care services in Brazil have chronic disabilities and health needs that require continuous health attention from rehabilitation professionals. All of these health needs should be considered by health professionals to provide better management as part of the integral care of stroke patients, as recommended by the clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation.