ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Cerebrovascular Diseases-Stroke and Stroke-Related Conditions.

Cerebrovascular disease encompasses a vast array of conditions. The imaging recommendations for stroke-related conditions involving noninflammatory steno-occlusive arterial and venous cerebrovascular disease including carotid stenosis, carotid dissection, intracranial large vessel occlusion, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are encompassed by this document. Additional imaging recommendations regarding complications of these conditions including intraparenchymal hemorrhage and completed ischemic strokes are also discussed. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Competence of healthcare professionals in stroke care pathways: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To describe healthcare professionals' self-assessed competence in stroke care pathways based on their self-evaluation and identify the factors associated with competence. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive explorative study design was used. METHODS: The data were collected during May and September 2021 through a survey sent to healthcare professionals (N=1200, n=215) working in neurological care. Competence in stroke care pathways was measured using the RN-STROKE, PT-STROKE and OT-STROKE instruments defined by four-factor model. The instruments' validity and reliability were confirmed through exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. K-means clustering, one-way ANOVA, Chi Square, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis were used to analyze the data. The results were reported as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The results were reported according to STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: Four main areas of healthcare professionals' competence in stroke care pathways were identified: (1) counseling and interaction competence (2) competence to use evidence-based information, (3) self-management and development competence, and (4) multiprofessional and collaboration competence. The study then identified three competence profiles of healthcare professionals working in the stroke care pathway. Professionals in Profile A evaluated their competence at the highest level, those in Profile B at the average level, and those in Profile C at the lowest level. Healthcare professionals' occupation and participation in their organisation's expert network were found to be associated with competence profiles. CONCLUSION: The overall competence of healthcare professionals in the stroke care pathway was rated as good, but competence to use evidence-based information in clinical practice, in particular, should be improved. Organisations should, therefore, increase education and training in this area and provide adequate resources to enable the use of evidence-based information in clinical work. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The study identifies three profiles relating to healthcare professionals' competence in the stroke care pathway, which can be used to create continuous education and ensure better patient care according to participants' profiles. REPORTING METHOD: The study was reported using the STROBE Statement checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Use of athletic tape in the speech-language-hearing treatment of post-stroke facial paralysis in the acute phase. / Utilização da bandagem elástica funcional no tratamento fonoaudiológico da paralisia facial pós-AVC na fase aguda.

PURPOSE: To verify the efficacy of using athletic tape associated with myofunctional therapy in the speech-language-hearing treatment of facial palsy after stroke in the acute phase. METHOD: Randomized controlled clinical study with 88 patients with facial palsy in the acute phase of stroke. The sample was allocated in: Group 1: rehabilitation with orofacial myofunctional therapy and use of athletic tape on the paralyzed zygomaticus major and minor muscles; Group 2: rehabilitation alone with orofacial myofunctional therapy on the paralyzed face; Group 3: no speech-language-hearing intervention for facial paralysis. In the evaluation, facial expression movements were requested, and the degree of impairment was determined according to the House and Brackmann scale. Movement incompetence was obtained from measurements of the face with a digital caliper. After the evaluation, the intervention was carried out as determined for groups 1 and 2. The participants of the three groups were reassessed after 15 days. The statistical analysis used was the generalized equations. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous in terms of age, measure of disability and functioning, severity of neurological impairment and pre-intervention facial paralysis. Group 1 had a significant improvement in the measure from the lateral canthus to the corner of the mouth, with better results than groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: The athletic tape associated with orofacial myofunctional therapy had better results in the treatment of facial paralysis after stroke in the place where it was applied.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a eficácia do uso da bandagem elástica funcional associada à terapia miofuncional no tratamento fonoaudiológico da paralisia facial pós-acidente vascular cerebral na fase aguda. MÉTODO: Estudo clínico controlado randomizado com 88 pacientes com paralisia facial na fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral. A amostra foi alocada em: Grupo 1: reabilitação com terapia miofuncional orofacial e utilização da bandagem elástica funcional nos músculos zigomáticos maior e menor paralisados; Grupo 2: reabilitação apenas com terapia miofuncional orofacial na face paralisada; Grupo 3: sem qualquer intervenção fonoaudiológica para paralisia facial. Na avaliação foram solicitados os movimentos de mímica facial e o grau do comprometimento foi determinado de acordo com a escala de House e Brackmann. A incompetência do movimento foi obtida a partir de medições da face com paquímetro digital. Após a avaliação, a intervenção foi realizada de acordo como determinado para os grupos 1 e 2. Os participantes dos três grupos foram reavaliados após 15 dias. A análise estatística utilizada foi das equações generalizadas. RESULTADOS: Os grupos foram homogêneos quanto à idade, medida de incapacidade e funcionalidade, gravidade do comprometimento neurológico e da paralisia facial pré-intervenção. O grupo 1 teve melhora significativa na medida canto externo do olho à comissura labial, com melhores resultados quando comparado aos grupos 2 e 3. CONCLUSÃO: A bandagem elástica funcional associada a terapia miofuncional orofacial apresentou melhor resultado no tratamento da paralisia facial após acidente vascular cerebral no local onde foi aplicado.

Evaluating the influence of a 3-min online video on the community knowledge of stroke in four Arab countries.

Introduction: Studies from developed and developing countries showed that the knowledge levels of stroke need improvement. Educational campaigns varied and were of limited influence predominantly because of their short duration and the need for financial support. The study aims to test the impact of a 3-min online video on the knowledge of stroke and factors influencing the knowledge score in four Arab countries. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based pre-post study was conducted in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. The data were collected using the snowball technique. Participants were adults aged 18 years and above. The questionnaire sequence was conducting a pretest, followed by the educational video explaining stroke occurrence, types, risks, warning signs, preventive measures, and treatment, and finally, a posttest to evaluate the differences in knowledge from baseline. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests comparing pre-post-education stroke knowledge scores, while repeated measures ANOVA, adjusting for covariates, assessed mean changes. Results: The total number of participants was 2,721, mainly younger than 55 years. The majority had a university degree and were not healthcare professionals. A significant improvement was noted in the total knowledge score in all countries from a mean average (Mpretest = 21.11; Mposttest = 23.70) with p < 0.001. Identification of the stroke risks (Mpretest = 7.40; Mposttest = 8.75) and warning signs (Mpretest = 4.19; Mposttest = 4.94), understanding the preventive measures (Mpretest = 5.27; Mposttest = 5.39) and the importance of acting fast (Mpretest = 0.82; Mposttest = 0.85) improved from baseline with (p < 0.001) for all score components. Conclusion: The educational tool successfully enhanced public understanding of stroke risks, the identification of stroke signs, and the critical need for emergency action. The advantages of this video include its short length, free online access, use of evidence-based content in lay language, and reflective images. The ultimate goal remains the long-term improvement of sustainability by mandating full-scale trials.

Factors influencing the efficacy of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator: Implications for ischemic stroke treatment.

Intravenous thrombolysis with a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the first-line treatment of acute ischemic stroke. However, successful recanalization is relatively low and the underlying processes are not completely understood. The goal was to provide insights into clinically important factors potentially limiting rt-PA efficacy such as clot size, rt-PA concentration, clot age and also rt-PA in combination with heparin anticoagulant. We established a static in vitro thrombolytic model based on red blood cell (RBC) dominant clots prepared using spontaneous clotting from the blood of healthy donors. Thrombolysis was determined by clot mass loss and by RBC release. The rt-PA became increasingly less efficient for clots larger than 50 µl at a clinically relevant concentration of 1.3 mg/l. A tenfold decrease or increase in concentration induced only a 2-fold decrease or increase in clot degradation. Clot age did not affect rt-PA-induced thrombolysis but 2-hours-old clots were degraded more readily due to higher activity of spontaneous thrombolysis, as compared to 5-hours-old clots. Finally, heparin (50 and 100 IU/ml) did not influence the rt-PA-induced thrombolysis. Our study provided in vitro evidence for a clot size threshold: clots larger than 50 µl are hard to degrade by rt-PA. Increasing rt-PA concentration provided limited thrombolytic efficacy improvement, whereas heparin addition had no effect. However, the higher susceptibility of younger clots to thrombolysis may prompt a shortened time from the onset of stroke to rt-PA treatment.

Competências do enfermeiro no cuidado a pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral elegíveis à terapia trombolítica / Competencias de enfermería en el cuidado de personas con accidente cerebrovascular elegibles para terapia trombolítica / Nursing competencies in the care of patients with stroke who are eligible for thrombolytic therapy

Resumo Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico tem como tratamento a terapia trombolítica, aplicada ainda na fase aguda, promovendo melhora importante nas sequelas acarretadas por este agravo. Considerando a complexidade da terapia trombolítica, torna-se necessário que os enfermeiros compreendam suas competências para auxiliar no cuidado. Objetivo: Identificar evidências científicas acerca das competências do enfermeiro no cuidado a pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral elegíveis à terapia trombolítica. Metodologia: Revisão integrativa composta por seis etapas em seis etapas (elaboração da questão, busca na literatura, coleta de dados, análise, discussão e apresentação da revisão), realizada nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase e CINAHL. A busca foi realizada entre agosto e setembro de 2022 adotando como critérios de inclusão estudos primários; gratuitos, disponíveis eletronicamente na íntegra; nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol. Foram obtidos inicialmente 2.830 estudos, os quais passaram por uma seleção, onde foram incluídos aqueles que atendiam os critérios previamente estabelecidos. Resultados: Com base nos doze estudos incluídos nesta revisão identificaram-se competências voltadas à três atividades do cuidado: gestão do cuidado como trabalho em equipe, códigos, fluxos e protocolos, assistência ao paciente antes, durante e após a utilização da terapia trombolítica e educação em saúde para equipe, pacientes e familiares. Conclusão: Os achados desta revisão puderam evidenciar as competências do enfermeiro no cuidado aos pacientes elegíveis a terapia trombolítica, as quais perpassam diferentes áreas de atuação do enfermeiro. Para este estudo prevaleceram as competências assistências, seguida por competências gerenciais.

Resumen Introducción: El accidente cerebrovascular isquémico se trata con terapia trombolítica, aplicada incluso en la fase aguda, que promueve una mejoría significativa de las secuelas provocadas por este padecimiento. Considerando la complejidad de la terapia trombolítica, es necesario que las personas profesionales de enfermería comprendan sus competencias para ayudar en el cuidado. Objetivo: Identificar evidencias científicas sobre las competencias del personal de enfermería en el cuidado de pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular elegibles para terapia trombolítica. Metodología: Revisión integradora que consta de seis etapas (elaboración de la pregunta, búsqueda bibliográfica, recolección de datos, análisis, discusión y presentación de la revisión), realizada en las bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase y CINAHL. La búsqueda se realizó entre agosto y septiembre de 2022. Los criterio de inclusión fueron: estudios primarios, gratuito, disponible electrónicamente en su totalidad, en inglés, portugués y español. Inicialmente se obtuvieron 2830 estudios, los cuales fueron sometidos a un proceso de selección, que incluyó aquellos que cumplían con los criterios previamente establecidos. Resultados: A partir de los doce estudios incluidos en esta revisión, se identificaron competencias centradas en tres actividades asistenciales: gestión del cuidado como trabajo en equipo, códigos, flujos y protocolos, atención a pacientes antes, durante y después del uso de la terapia trombolítica y educación en salud para personal, pacientes y familias. Conclusión: Los hallazgos de esta revisión pudieron resaltar las competencias de las personas profesionales en enfermería en el cuidado de personas elegibles para terapia trombolítica, que abarcan diferentes áreas de actuación del personal de enfermería. Para este estudio, prevalecieron las habilidades asistenciales, seguidas de las competencias gerenciales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ischemic stroke is treated with thrombolytic therapy, applied even in the acute phase, promoting a significant improvement in the after-effects caused by this condition. Considering the complexity of thrombolytic therapy, it is necessary for nurses to understand the skills required to assist in care. Objective: To identify scientific evidence about the competencies of nurses in the care of patients with stroke who are eligible for thrombolytic therapy. Methodology: An integrative review consisting of six stages (elaboration of the question, literature review, data collection, analysis, discussion, and presentation), conducted in MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL databases. The search was carried out between August and September 2022 using primary studies as the inclusion criteria: free of charge, fully available electronically, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Initially, 2.830 studies were obtained, which underwent a selection process that included only those studies that met the previously established criteria. Results: Based on the twelve studies included in this review, competencies focused on three care activities were identified: care management such as teamwork; codes; flows and protocols; patient care before, during, and after the use of thrombolytic therapy; and education health education for staff, patients, and families. Conclusion: The findings of this review highlighted the nurses' competencies in the care of patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy, which encompass different areas of the nurse's work. For this study, assistance competencies prevailed, followed by management competencies.

The impact of intensive blood pressure management in the post-thrombolysis setting: a real-world observational study.

AIM: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) >180mmHg following stroke thrombolysis has been associated with increased bleeding and poorer outcome. Aiming for the guideline SBP of <180mmHg often leads to SBP overshoot, as treatment is only triggered if this threshold is passed. We tested whether a lower target would result in fewer high SBP protocol violations. METHOD: This is a single-centre, sequential comparison of two blood pressure protocols. Between 2013 and 2017, the guideline-based post-thrombolysis SBP target of <180mmHg was compared with a new protocol aiming for 140-160mmHg. The primary outcome was rate of patients with SBPs >180mmHg. Secondary outcomes included rates of SBP <120 mmHg, antihypertensive infusion use, symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) and 3-month functional independence (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-2). Results were adjusted for age, baseline function and stroke severity using regression analysis. RESULTS: During the 23 months preceding and 18 months following the transition to the new protocol, 68 and 100 patients were thrombolysed respectively. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The odds of one or more SBPs >180mmHg trended lower in the intensive group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-1.17; p=0.14). There was a higher rate of SBPs <120mmHg (aOR 3.09; 95% CI 1.49-6.40; p=0.002) in the intensive BP protocol group. sICH rate and 3-month mRS 0-2 were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The more intensive post-thrombolysis BP protocol was associated with a significant increase in sub-optimally low BP events, with a non-significant trend toward fewer high BP protocol violations and unaffected patient outcomes.

Real-world effectiveness of early insulin therapy on the incidence of cardiovascular events in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Early insulin therapy is capable to achieve glycemic control and restore ß-cell function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D), but its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in these patients remains unclear. In this nationwide real-world study, we analyzed electronic health record data from 19 medical centers across China between 1 January 2000, and 26 May 2022. We included 5424 eligible patients (mean age 56 years, 2176 women/3248 men) who were diagnosed T2D within six months and did not have prior cardiovascular disease. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the associations of early insulin therapy (defined as the first-line therapy for at least two weeks in newly diagnosed T2D patients) with the incidence of major cardiovascular events including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure (HF). During 17,158 persons years of observation, we documented 834 incident CHD cases, 719 stroke cases, and 230 hospitalized cases for HF. Newly diagnosed T2D patients who received early insulin therapy, compared with those who did not receive such treatment, had 31% lower risk of incident stroke, and 28% lower risk of hospitalization for HF. No significant difference in the risk of CHD was observed. We found similar results when repeating the aforesaid analysis in a propensity-score matched population of 4578 patients and with inverse probability of treatment weighting models. These findings suggest that early insulin therapy in newly diagnosed T2D may have cardiovascular benefits by reducing the risk of incident stroke and hospitalization for HF.

Blocking CCR5 activity by maraviroc augmentation in post-stroke depression: a proof-of-concept clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a significant impediment to successful rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke. Current therapeutic options are limited, leaving an unmet demand for specific and effective therapeutic options. Our objective was to investigate the safety of Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist, as a possible mechanism-based add-on therapeutic option for PSD in an open-label proof-of-concept clinical trial. METHODS: We conducted a 10-week clinical trial in which ten patients with subcortical and cortical stroke, suffering from PSD. were administered a daily oral dose of 300 mg Maraviroc. Participants were then monitored for an additional eight weeks. The primary outcome measure was serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs leading to discontinuation. The secondary outcome measure was a change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). RESULTS: Maraviroc was well tolerated, with no reports of serious adverse events or discontinuations due to intolerance. The MADRS scores substantially reduced from baseline to week 10 (mean change: -16.4 ± 9.3; p < 0.001). By the conclusion of the treatment phase, a favorable response was observed in five patients, with four achieving remission. The time to response was relatively short, approximately three weeks. After the cessation of treatment, MADRS scores increased at week 18 by 6.1 ± 9.6 points (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our proof-of-concept study suggests that a daily dosage of 300 mg of Maraviroc may represent a well-tolerated and potentially effective pharmacological approach to treating PSD. Further comprehensive placebo-controlled studies are needed to assess the impact of Maraviroc augmentation on PSD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05932550, Retrospectively registered: 28/06/2023.

DNA methylation and stroke prognosis: an epigenome-wide association study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stroke is the leading cause of adult-onset disability. Although clinical factors influence stroke outcome, there is a significant variability among individuals that may be attributed to genetics and epigenetics, including DNA methylation (DNAm). We aimed to study the association between DNAm and stroke prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: To that aim, we conducted a two-phase study (discovery-replication and meta-analysis) in Caucasian patients with ischemic stroke from two independent centers (BasicMar [discovery, N = 316] and St. Pau [replication, N = 92]). Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at three months after stroke, being poor outcome defined as mRS > 2. DNAm was determined using the 450K and EPIC BeadChips in whole-blood samples collected within the first 24 h. We searched for differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in 370,344 CpGs, and candidates below p-value < 10-5 were subsequently tested in the replication cohort. We then meta-analyzed DMP results from both cohorts and used them to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). After doing the epigenome-wide association study, we found 29 DMPs at p-value < 10-5 and one of them was replicated: cg24391982, annotated to thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) gene (p-valuediscovery = 1.54·10-6; p-valuereplication = 9.17·10-4; p-valuemeta-analysis = 6.39·10-9). Besides, four DMRs were identified in patients with poor outcome annotated to zinc finger protein 57 homolog (ZFP57), Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase 12S Type (ALOX12), ABI Family Member 3 (ABI3) and Allantoicase (ALLC) genes (p-value < 1·10-9 in all cases). DISCUSSION: Patients with poor outcome showed a DMP at THBS2 and four DMRs annotated to ZFP57, ALOX12, ABI3 and ALLC genes. This suggests an association between stroke outcome and DNAm, which may help identify new stroke recovery mechanisms.

[Evaluation of the management of hypertension among stroke patients in a neurology department of Côte d'Ivoire]. / Évaluation de la prise en charge de l'hypertension artérielle après un accident vasculaire cérébral dans un service de neurologie en Côte-d'Ivoire.

Introduction: Reducing blood pressure after stroke is important to prevent recurrent stroke, but we have no data about the control of blood pressure in our context. The purpose of this study was to assess management of hypertension among post-stroke patients in a neurology department. Method: It was a retrospective study involving hypertensive stroke patients. They were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge. Results: 141 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 61 years. Almost all patients (94.3%) received a dual antihypertensive therapy combining mainly an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic (70.2%). During follow-up, only 76 patients were assessed at M1, 50 at M3, 44 at M6 and 42 at M12. The average monthly cost of antihypertensive treatment was 13,771 CFA francs (21 euros). Non-adherence to antihypertensive medication were mostly noted in widows, patients without occupation, those with low education and no health insurance. At one year, blood pressure was controlled in 80% of the 42 patients still present. Non-control of blood pressure was related to poor therapeutic compliance (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights follow-up issues in hypertensive post-stroke patients with a high number of lost to follow-up. Blood pressure was controlled in patients who were regularly followed and adherent to antihypertensive treatment.

Comparing the EQ-5D-5L and stroke impact scale 2.0 in stroke patients: an analysis of measurement properties.

BACKGROUND: Stroke has evolved to become a chronic disease and a major public health challenge. To adequately capture the full disease burden of stroke patients, the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and thus the performance of respective measures is increasingly relevant. The aim of this analysis was to compare the measurement properties of two self-report instruments, the EQ-5D-5L and the Stroke Impact Scale 2.0. METHODS: The data used for the analysis was derived from a quasi-experimental case management study for mildly to moderately affected incident stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients aged ≥ 18 in Germany. Data was collected patient-individually at 3, 6 and 12 months after initial stroke. The EQ-5D-5L and SIS 2.0 were compared in terms of feasibility, ceiling and floor effects, responsiveness and known-groups validity (Kruskal-Wallis H and Wilcoxon rank-sum test). RESULTS: A response for all three follow-ups is available for n = 855 patients. The feasibility of the EQ-5D-5L is determined as good (completion rate: 96.4-96.6%, ≥ one item missing: 3.2 - 3.3%), whereas the SIS 2.0 is moderately feasible (overall completion rate: 44.9-46.1%, ≥ one item missing in domains: 4.7 - 28.7%). The SIS 2.0 shows substantial ceiling effects in comparable domains (physical function: 10.4 - 13%, others: 3.5-31.3%) which are mainly larger than ceiling effects in the EQ-5D-5L index (17.1-21.5%). In terms of responsiveness, the EQ-5D-5L shows small to moderate change while the SIS 2.0 presents with moderate to large responsiveness. The EQ-5D-5L index, mobility, usual activities and Visual Analogue Scale show known-groups validity (p < 0.05). Content-related domains of the SIS 2.0 show known-groups validity as well (p < 0.05). However, it is compromised in the emotion domain in both measures (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D-5L seems to be slightly more suitable for this cohort. Nonetheless, the results of both measures indicate limited suitability for TIA patients. Large-scale studies concerning responsiveness and known-groups validity are encouraged. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register, retrospective registration on 21.09.2022. REGISTRATION ID: DRKS00030297.

Effects of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: About 17-80% stroke survivors experience the deficit of upper limb function, which strongly influences their independence and quality of life. Robot-assisted training and functional electrical stimulation are commonly used interventions in the rehabilitation of hemiplegia upper extremities, while the effect of their combination remains unclear. The aim of this trial is to explore the effect of robot-assisted upper limb training combined with functional electrical stimulation, in terms of neuromuscular rehabilitation, compared with robot-assisted upper limb training alone. METHODS: Individuals (n = 60) with the first onset of stroke (more than 1 week and less than 1 year after stroke onset) will be considered in the recruitment of this single-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants will be allocated into three groups (robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation group, robot-assisted training group, and conventional rehabilitation therapies group) with a ratio of 1:1:1. All interventions will be executed for 45 min per session, one session per day, 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks. The neuromuscular function of the upper limb (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of upper extremity), ability of daily life (modified Barthel Index), pain (visual analogue scale), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) will be assessed at the baseline, at the end of this trial and after 3 months follow-up. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be used to compare the outcomes if the data are normally distributed. Simple effects tests will be used for the further exploration of interaction effects by time and group. Scheirer-Ray-Hare test will be used if the data are not satisfied with normal distribution. DISCUSSION: We expect this three-arm randomized controlled trial to explore the effectiveness of robot-assisted training combined with functional electrical stimulation in improving post-stroke upper limb function compared with robot-assisted training alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Effect of upper limb robot on improving upper limb function after stroke, identifier: ChiCTR2300073279. Registered on 5 July 2023.

The Swedish Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire: translation and cross-cultural adaptation.

OBJECTIVE: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) from English to Swedish and to evaluate psychometric properties of the questionnaire. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design, where the translation followed a process including initial translation, synthesis, backward translation, expert committee, and pretest. Content validity was assessed using Content validity index (CVI). Psychometric assessments included floor-ceiling effects and internal consistency. RESULTS: Language and cultural congruence were achieved, and content validity index scores were high (0.923-1). The psychometric evaluations provided acceptable outcomes concerning internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha scores for the total scale (0.902), the activities subscale (0.861) and the self-management subscale (0.818) respectively. Ceiling effects were evident, but no floor effects. CONCLUSION: This study found the Swedish version of the SSEQ promising as a tool for assessment of self-efficacy in a Swedish stroke care setting, although further psychometric assessments are recommended in future studies.

Care for the cerebrovascular accident survivors: experiences of family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The role of family caregivers in the management of cerebrovascular accident survivors is invaluable. So far, there is a strong evidence affirming the effectiveness of family support for cerebrovascular accident survivors. Meanwhile, caring for cerebrovascular survivors can be labour and time intensive and pretty stressful for caregivers. The purpose of the study was to examine the lived experiences of family caregivers of cerebrovascular accident survivors in the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana. This aims are to establish their caregivers' knowledge, preparedness, and impact of caregiving on the caregiver, and coping strategies caregivers adopted. METHODS: Using a four-item (with 14 prompts) interview guide and descriptive phenomenological approach, we gathered and analysed data from 37 family caregivers in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. RESULTS: We found that caregivers had limited knowledge about cerebrovascular disease-risk factors and were ill-prepared for their caregiving roles. Additionally, we found limited knowledge about coping strategies among the caregivers. We further report that some caregivers lost close relationships, and their jobs because of the caregiving, they also used fasting and prayer as coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers suffered broken relationship, loss their jobs and incomes due to their caregiving roles. Moreover, some engaged in fasting and prayers, and alcohol use to cope with the stress associated with caring for the cerebrovascular accident survivors. We discussed the potential implications of our findings on the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4. The aim of this goal is to reduce by 75% premature deaths due to cerebrovascular and other non-communicable diseases by 2030.

Predictors of Incident Stroke and Subsequent Mortality Among a Sample of Veterans with Experience of Housing Instability.

Homelessness is associated with poor health outcomes and early development of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the correlates of incident stroke and its association with mortality among Veterans experiencing housing instability. Using a national sample of Veterans (n=565,608) with incident housing instability between 2014-2018, we compared characteristics of Veterans who did and did not experience incident stroke and conducted logistic regressions to assess two outcomes: incident stroke and mortality. Almost four percent experienced a first stroke and were more frequently male, older than 55 years, Black, and non-Hispanic. A higher rate of mortality was observed among those with a first stroke compared with those with no stroke (17.6% vs. 10.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Incident stroke was associated with triple the odds of death among unstably-housed Veterans compared with those who did not have an incident stroke. Implications include the need to screen and monitor for stroke risk among Veterans with experience of housing instability, particularly for those who are older.

Teleneurology and Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Practice.

ABSTRACT: As teleheath becomes integrated into the practice of medicine, it is important to understand the benefits, limitations, and variety of applications. Telestroke was an early example of teleneurology that arose from a need for urgent access to neurologists for time-sensitive treatments for stroke. It made a scarce resource widely available via video conferencing technologies. Additionally, applications such as outpatient video visits, electronic consultation (e-consult), and wearable devices developed in neurology, as well. Telehealth dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic when offices were closed and hospitals were overwhelmed; a multitude of both outpatient and inpatient programs developed and matured during this time. It is helpful to explore what has been learned regarding the quality of telehealth, disparities in care, and how artificial intelligence can interact with medical practices in the teleneurology context.