Simultaneous bilaternal training for improving arm function after stroke

Background Simultaneous bilateral training, the completion of identical activities with both arms simultaneously, is one intervention to improve arm function and reduce impairment. Objectives To determine the effects of simultaneous bilateral training for improving arm function after stroke. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register (last searched August 2009) and 10 electronic bibliographic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2009), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and AMED (August 2009). We also searched reference lists and trials registers. Selection criteria Randomised trials in adults after stroke, where the intervention was simultaneous bilateral training compared to placebo or no intervention, usual care or other upper limb (arm) interventions. Primary outcomes were performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and functional movement of the upper limb. Secondary outcomes were performance in extended activities of daily living and motor impairment of the arm. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently screened abstracts, extracted data and appraised trials. Assessment of methodological quality was undertaken for allocation concealment, blinding of outcome assessor, intention-to-treat, baseline similarity and loss to follow up. Main results We included 18 studies involving 549 relevant participants, of which 14 (421 participants) were included in the analysis (one within both comparisons). Four of the 14 studies compared the effects of bilateral training with usual care. Primary outcomes: results were not statistically significant for performance in ADL (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.14 to 0.63); functional movement of the arm (SMD -0.07, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.28) or hand (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.50 to 0.42). Secondary outcomes: no statistically significant results. Eleven of the 14 studies compared the effects of bilateral training with other specific upper limb (arm) interventions. Primary outcomes: no statistically significant results for performance of ADL (SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.57 to 0.08); functional movement of the arm (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.09) or hand (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.09). Secondary outcomes: one study reported a statistically significant result in favour of another upper limb intervention for performance in extended ADL. No statistically significant differences were found for motor impairment outcomes. Authors' conclusions There is insufficient good quality evidence to make recommendations about the relative effect of simultaneous bilateral training compared to placebo, no intervention or usual care. We identified evidence that suggests that bilateral training may be no more (or less) effective than usual care or other upper limb interventions for performance in ADL, functional movement of the upper limb or motor impairment outcome

User involvement in a Cochrane systematic review:using structured methods to enhance the clinical relevance, usefulness and usability of a systematic review update

Background: This paper describes the structured methods used to involve patients, carers and health professionals in an update of a Cochrane systematic review relating to physiotherapy after stroke and explores the perceived impact of involvement.Methods: We sought funding and ethical approval for our user involvement. We recruited a stakeholder group comprising stroke survivors, carers, physiotherapists and educators and held three pre-planned meetings during the course of updating a Cochrane systematic review. Within these meetings, we used formal group consensus methods, based on nominal group techniques, to reach consensus decisions on key issues relating to the structure and methods of the review.Results: The stakeholder group comprised 13 people, including stroke survivors, carers and physiotherapists with a range of different experience, and either 12 or 13 participated in each meeting. At meeting 1, there was consensus that methods of categorising interventions that were used in the original Cochrane review were no longer appropriate or clinically relevant (11/13 participants disagreed or strongly disagreed with previous categories) and that international trials (which had not fitted into the original method of categorisation) ought to be included within the review (12/12 participants agreed or strongly agreed these should be included). At meeting 2, the group members reached consensus over 27 clearly defined treatment components, which were to be used to categorise interventions within the review (12/12 agreed or strongly agreed), and at meeting 3, they agreed on the key messages emerging from the completed review. All participants strongly agreed that the views of the group impacted on the review update, that the review benefited from the involvement of the stakeholder group, and that they believed other Cochrane reviews would benefit from the involvement of similar stakeholder groups.Conclusions: We involved a stakeholder group in the update of a Cochrane systematic review, using clearly described structured methods to reach consensus decisions. The involvement of stakeholders impacted substantially on the review, with the inclusion of international studies, and changes to classification of treatments, comparisons and subgroup comparisons explored within the meta-analysis. We argue that the structured approach which we adopted has implications for other systematic reviews.</p

Implementation of Dynamic Lycra® Orthoses for Arm Rehabilitation in the Context of a Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial in Stroke:A Qualitative study Using Normalisation Process Theory

OBJECTIVE: To explore how non-research funded rehabilitation practitioners implemented dynamic Lycra(®) orthoses for arm recovery after stroke into rehabilitation practice, as part of a feasibility randomised controlled trial. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study. SETTING: Two in-patient stroke units and associated rehabilitation units. SUBJECTS: Fifteen purposefully selected stroke rehabilitation practitioners involved in delivery of dynamic Lycra(®) orthoses as part of a feasibility randomised controlled trial. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews conducted at the end of the trial. Interviews examined their experiences of orthosis implementation. Normalisation Process Theory structured the interview guide and informed data analysis. NVivo software supported data analysis. RESULTS: Practitioners intuitively made sense of the intervention in the face of uncertainty about its precise mechanisms of action (Normalisation Process Theory construct: coherence) and espoused commitment to the research, despite uncertainty about orthosis effectiveness (cognitive participation). They did however adapt the intervention based on perceived therapeutic need, their own skillsets and stroke survivor preference (collective action). They were uncertain about benefits (reflexive monitoring). Across the 4 theoretical constructs, ambivalence about the intervention was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Ambivalence interfered with implementation – but only to an extent. ‘Good-enough’ coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring were sufficient to initiate normalisation – as long as implementation did not undermine the relationship between practitioner and stroke survivor. Ambivalence stemmed from practitioners’ uncertainty about the intervention theory and mechanisms of action. Making intervention mechanisms of action more explicit to practitioners may influence how they implement and adapt a research intervention, and may determine whether those processes undermine or enhance outcomes

Physical activity and mental health experiences of people living with long term conditions during COVID-19 pandemic:A qualitative study

Introduction: regular physical activity is a strategy that is effective in the physical management of long term conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic, led to disruption of physical activity routines for many people with long term conditions. It is important, to understand the experiences of people with long term conditions regarding physical activity during COVID-19 to enable future identification of strategies to mitigate the impact of restrictions on health.Objective: to explore perceptions and experiences of people with long term conditions of the impact of the UK Government physical distancing restrictions on their physical activity participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: a qualitative study, with in depth videoconference semi-structured interviews were conducted between January and April 2022, with 26 adults living with at least one long term condition in the UK. Data were managed in analytical matrices within Excel and data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis.Results. Two main themes were developed, explaining how participants managed their physical activity during COVID19 lockdowns, and based on those experiences, what they considered should be in place should another lockdown occur:1) COVID-19 and physical activity: Losses, opportunities and adapting to new formats; and 2) Micro, meso, and macro contexts: creating the right conditions for physical activity support in future pandemics.Conclusions: this study provides information on how people with long term conditions managed their condition during the COVID-19 pandemic and generates new understanding of how physical activity routines changed. These findings will be used to inform stakeholder engagement meetings with individuals with long term conditions and local, regional, and national policy makers, to co-produce recommendations that will help people living with long term conditions remain active during and after COVID-19 and other pandemics.<br/

Increasing physical activity levels in care homes for older people:a quantitative scoping review of intervention studies to guide future research

Physical activity (PA) levels in older care home residents are low. This has detrimental effects on health. Little is known about the nature of interventions to increase physical activity in this population. A scoping review to: (1) identify and describe interventions to increase PA in older care home residents, and (2) describe the extent to which interventions address care home context, systemised by social–ecological models. We systematically searched databases for peer-reviewed intervention studies to increase PA in older people resident in care homes. Data were extracted using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) and mapped against a social–ecological framework to locate the intervention focus. The 19 included studies consisted of interventions tested in randomised or quasi-experimental trial designs. Interventions consisted of single or multiple components and predominantly addressed individual resident level factors (such as muscle strength) rather than broader social and environmental aspects of context. Interventions were not all fully described. For most interventions a distinct theoretical foundation was not identified. Interventions were mostly delivered by health professionals and research staff external to care homes. Future interventions should address contextual care home factors and should be clearly described according to intervention description guidance.Implications for rehabilitationPhysical activity holds promise as an effective means of improving health and function in older care home residents, but physical activity levels in this population are low.Several reasons beyond the individual resident but related to care home contextual factors may explain low PA in care homesTo date, contextual factors influencing PA in care homes have been poorly addressed in interventions.Wider care home context (social, cultural, and environmental factors) must be considered in future interventions. Physical activity holds promise as an effective means of improving health and function in older care home residents, but physical activity levels in this population are low. Several reasons beyond the individual resident but related to care home contextual factors may explain low PA in care homes To date, contextual factors influencing PA in care homes have been poorly addressed in interventions. Wider care home context (social, cultural, and environmental factors) must be considered in future interventions.</p

The impact of foot problems on social participation in older people: protocol for a qualitative study

Poor foot health is common in older people and negatively impacts on functional ability and undertaking activities of daily living. Social participation is defined as a person’s involvement in activities that provide interaction with others in the community, and is a well-recognised modifiable determinant for successful ageing. Although foot problems are prevalent in older people and are known to negatively influence social participation, it is not known exactly how foot problems influence social participation. Foot health is a component of healthy ageing, and social participation is an important dimension of quality of life; thus, there is an imperative to explore barriers and facilitators to social participation in older adults living with foot problems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore perceptions and experiences of social participation among community-dwelling older adults living with poor foot health.The study will use qualitative methods via in-depth one-to-one interviews and focus groups from two data sources: older people with foot problems (in-depth interviews) and their significant others (focus groups). Participants will be recruited from podiatry clinics, GP practices, and community groups. A theoretical approach using the WHO International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health, and the common-sense model of illness representation will inform data collection and analysis. The framework approach will facilitate analysis.The results of this study will uncover foot-related barriers and facilitators for social participation and will explore how these barriers may be overcome. The results of this study will inform strategies for improving foot health and social participation by understanding the challenges related to poor foot health and participating in social activities.Previous work has shown that people living with foot problems related to connective tissue disorders and diabetes experience reduced social participation. However, these studies have not explored what the precise reasons for reduced social participation may be. This study will contribute important knowledge by exploring older peoples’ experiences of, and perceptions towards, foot problems and social participation. Such a process is critical in clarifying the problem so that effective interventions may be developed

The impact of foot problems on social participation in older people: protocol for a qualitative study

Poor foot health is common in older people and negatively impacts on functional ability and undertaking activities of daily living. Social participation is defined as a person’s involvement in activities that provide interaction with others in the community, and is a well-recognised modifiable determinant for successful ageing. Although foot problems are prevalent in older people and are known to negatively influence social participation, it is not known exactly how foot problems influence social participation. Foot health is a component of healthy ageing, and social participation is an important dimension of quality of life; thus, there is an imperative to explore barriers and facilitators to social participation in older adults living with foot problems. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore perceptions and experiences of social participation among community-dwelling older adults living with poor foot health.The study will use qualitative methods via in-depth one-to-one interviews and focus groups from two data sources: older people with foot problems (in-depth interviews) and their significant others (focus groups). Participants will be recruited from podiatry clinics, GP practices, and community groups. A theoretical approach using the WHO International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health, and the common-sense model of illness representation will inform data collection and analysis. The framework approach will facilitate analysis.The results of this study will uncover foot-related barriers and facilitators for social participation and will explore how these barriers may be overcome. The results of this study will inform strategies for improving foot health and social participation by understanding the challenges related to poor foot health and participating in social activities.Previous work has shown that people living with foot problems related to connective tissue disorders and diabetes experience reduced social participation. However, these studies have not explored what the precise reasons for reduced social participation may be. This study will contribute important knowledge by exploring older peoples’ experiences of, and perceptions towards, foot problems and social participation. Such a process is critical in clarifying the problem so that effective interventions may be developed

A national survey of community rehabilitation service provision for people with long Covid in Scotland

Background: Over 50 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally as of November 2020. Evidence is rapidly emerging on the epidemiology of COVID-19, and its impact on individuals and potential burden on health services and society. Between 10–35% of people with COVID-19 may experience post-acute long Covid. This currently equates to between 8,129 and 28,453 people in Scotland. Some of these people will require rehabilitation to support their recovery. Currently, we do not know how to optimally configure community rehabilitation services for people with long Covid. Methods: This national survey aimed to provide a detailed description of current community rehabilitation provision for people with long Covid in Scotland. We developed, piloted, and conducted a national electronic survey of current community rehabilitation service provision for people presenting with long Covid symptomatology. Our sample were the Allied Health Professions Directors of all 14 territorial NHS Health Boards in Scotland. Fixed response and narrative data were analysed descriptively. Results: Responses were received from all respondents (14/14), enabling a national picture to be gained. Almost all Health Boards (13/14) currently deliver rehabilitation for people with long Covid within pre-existing services. Fatigue (11/14) and respiratory conditions (9/14) were the two most common presenting problems of patients. Most long Covid community rehabilitation services are delivered through a combination of face-to-face and digital contact (13/14). Conclusions: Community rehabilitation for people with long Covid is an emerging reality. This survey provides a national picture of current community rehabilitation for people with long Covid. We do not know how community rehabilitation can be optimally delivered for this population. This is vital as community rehabilitation services were already under pressure prior to the emergence of COVID-19. Further research is urgently required to investigate the implementation, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of differing models of community rehabilitation for this patient population.[Version 2; peer review: 2 approved