A Sensor-Based Upper Limb Treatment in Hemiplegic Patients: Results from a Randomized Pilot Study.

In post-stroke patients, the disabling motor deficit mainly affects the upper limb. The focus of rehabilitation is improving upper limb function and reducing long-term disability. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using the Gloreha Aria (R-Lead), a sensor-based upper limb in-hospital rehabilitation, compared with conventional physiotherapist-led training in subacute hemiplegic patients. Twenty-one patients were recruited and randomised 1:1 to a sensor-based group (treatment group TG) or a conventional group (control group, CG). All patients performed 30 sessions of 30 min each of dedicated upper limb rehabilitation. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) was the primary evaluation., both as a motor score and as individual items. Secondary evaluations were Functional Independence Measure; global disability assessed with the Modified Barthel Index; Motor Evaluation Scale for UE in stroke; power grip; and arm, shoulder, and hand disability. All the enrolled patients, 10 in the TG and 11 in the CG, completed all hand rehabilitation sessions during their hospital stay without experiencing any adverse events. FMA-UE scores in upper limb motor function improved in both groups [delta change CG (11.8 ± 9.2) vs. TG (12.7 ± 8.6)]. The score at T1 for FMA joint pain (21.8 vs. 24 best score) suggests the use of the Gloreha Aria (R-Lead) as feasible in improving arm function abilities in post-stroke patients.

A decision making algorithm for rehabilitation after stroke: A guide to choose an appropriate and safe treadmill training.

BACKGROUND: Walking independently after a stroke can be difficult or impossible, and walking reeducation is vital. But the approach used is often arbitrary, relying on the devices available and subjective evaluations by the doctor/physiotherapist. Objective decision making tools could be useful. OBJECTIVES: To develop a decision making algorithm able to select for post-stroke patients, based on their motor skills, an appropriate mode of treadmill training (TT), including type of physiotherapist support/supervision required and safety conditions necessary. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 97 post-stroke inpatients admitted to a NeuroRehabilitation unit. Patients attended TT with body weight support (BWSTT group) or without support (FreeTT group), depending on clinical judgment. Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) plus measures of walking ability (Functional Ambulation Classification [FAC], total Functional Independence Measure [FIM] and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment [Tinetti]) and fall risk profile (Morse and Stratify) were retrieved from institutional database. RESULTS: No significant differences emerged between the two groups regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Regarding walking ability, FAC, total FIM and its Motor component and the Tinetti scale differed significantly between groups (for all, p < 0.001). FAC and Tinetti scores were used to elaborate a decision making algorithm classifying patients into 4 risk/safety (RS) classes. As expected, a strong association (Pearson chi-squared, p < 0.0001) was found between RS classes and the initial BWSTT/FreeTT classification. CONCLUSION: This decision making algorithm provides an objective tool to direct post-stroke patients, on admission to the rehabilitation facility, to the most appropriate form of TT.

Feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary home-telehealth intervention programme to reduce falls among elderly discharged from hospital: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fall incidents are the third cause of chronic disablement in elderly according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent meta-analyses shows that a multifactorial falls risk assessment and management programmes are effective in all older population studied. However, the application of these programmes may not be the same in all National health care setting and, consequently, needs to be evaluated by cost-effectiveness studies before to plan this intervention in regular care. In Italy structured collaboration between hospital staff and primary care is generally lacking and the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in a fall prevention programme at home has never been explored. METHODS AND DESIGN: This will be a two-group randomised controlled trial aiming to evaluate the effects of a home-based intervention programme delivered by a multidisciplinary health team. The home tele-management programme, previously adopted in our Institute for chronic patients, will be proposed to elderly people affected by chronic diseases at high risk of falling at hospital discharge. The programme will involve the hospital staff and will be managed thanks to the collaboration between hospital and primary care setting. Patients will be followed for 6 months after hospital discharge. A nurse-tutor telephone support and tele-exercise will characterize the intervention programme. People in the control group will receive usual care. The main outcome measure of the study will be the percentage of patients sustaining a fall during the 6-months follow-up period. An economic evaluation will be performed from a societal perspective and will involve calculating cost-effectiveness and cost utility ratios. DISCUSSION: To date, no adequately powered studies have investigated the effect of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in a home fall prevention program. We aim the program will be feasible in terms of intensity and characteristics, but particularly in terms of patient and provider compliance. The results of the economic evaluation could provide information about the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and the effects on quality of life. In case of shown effectiveness and cost effectiveness, the program could be implemented into health services settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02487589 ).