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Research Objectives To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of those with high fear of covid compared to those with low fear among those with neurological conditions. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Outpatient and community. Participants Participants (N=74) included those: 18 years of age and older;diagnosed with a neurological condition including: brain injury;cognitive capacity to understand and complete measures;living in the community. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Demographics, injury characteristics, NeuroQoL psychosocial subscales, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Thoughts and Feelings about Social Distancing, and Social Distancing Strategies Used. Results Participants with high levels of fear of covid were more likely to be females, experienced loss of employment, recently injured, greater levels of sleep disturbance, and experience greater levels of stigma. When examining thoughts of social distancing, those in the high fear group reported feeling isolated, anxious, less likely to use online platform to be social, feel pressure from others to not socially distance when social distancing compared to those in the low fear group. Those in the high fear group were more likely to use avoidance based social distancing strategies compared to those in the low fear group. No significant differences between the two groups were seen in level of age, level of education, living arrangements, fatigue and self-efficacy. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that, among those with neurological conditions, characteristics of high fear of the pandemic are distinct from those with low fear. These findings indicate, that those with high fear of covid may require additional support to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life. Author(s) Disclosures None.
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BACKGROUND: Encouraging upper limb use and increasing intensity of practice in rehabilitation are two important goals for optimizing upper limb recovery post stroke. Feedback from novel wearable sensors may influence practice behaviour to promote achieving these goals. A wearable sensor can potentially be used in conjunction with a virtually monitored home program for greater patient convenience, or due to restrictions that preclude in-person visits, such as COVID-19. This trial aims to (1) determine the efficacy of a virtual behaviour change program that relies on feedback from a custom wearable sensor to increase use and function of the upper limb post stroke; and (2) explore the experiences and perceptions of using a program coupled with wearable sensors to increase arm use from the perspective of people with stroke. METHODS: This mixed-methods study will utilize a prospective controlled trial with random allocation to immediate or 3-week delayed entry to determine the efficacy of a 3-week behaviour change program with a nested qualitative description study. The intervention, the Virtual Arm Boot Camp (V-ABC) features feedback from a wearable device, which is intended to increase upper limb use post stroke, as well as 6 virtual sessions with a therapist. Sixty-four adults within 1-year post stroke onset will be recruited from seven rehabilitation centres. All outcomes will be collected virtually. The primary outcome measure is upper limb use measured by grasp counts over 3 days from the wearable sensor (TENZR) after the 3-week intervention. Secondary outcomes include upper limb function (Arm Capacity and Movement Test) and self-reported function (Hand Function and Strength subscale from the Stroke Impact Scale). Outcome data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention and at 2 months retention. The qualitative component will explore the experiences and acceptability of using a home program with a wearable sensor for increasing arm use from the point of view of individuals with stroke. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants after they have experienced the intervention. Qualitative data will be analysed using content analysis. DISCUSSION: This study will provide novel information regarding the efficacy and acceptability of virtually delivered programs to improve upper extremity recovery, and the use of wearable sensors to assist with behaviour change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04232163 . January 18, 2020.