Extrait

Background and study aims A stroke is a serious, life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Many stroke survivors have limited arm function, decreasing their independence and quality of life. Rehabilitation to encourage functional arm recovery is based on practice of everyday tasks and feedback. Visual feedback is known to support relearning and is already used by therapists with the aid of mirrors or video. However, neither method is optimal as both rely on subjective observation rather than an accurate analysis of the patient’s movement. Stroke survivors can also be distracted or distressed by their appearance. In this study we propose to provide improved visual feedback by recording a patient's arm movements using motion capture technology to create a stick-like figure that will mimic the patient’s movements on a computer screen. The simple feedback will highlight the success and quality of those movements. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of this additional visual feedback as part of stroke rehabilitation. Who can participate? Adults aged 18 or over up to 3 months from time of onset of stroke and with limited arm function. What does the study involve? Participants will be randomly allocated into one of three groups. The first group will receive the usual therapy that would be provided from the Early Supported Discharge (ESD) team. The second group will receive arm therapy focusing on reach and grasp, the same exercises as for the third group but without visual feedback. This will take place at a community-based clinic, one hour twice a week for six weeks, in addition to standard care. The third group will receive one hour of enhanced arm therapy with improved visual feedback twice a week at a community-based clinic for 6 weeks, in addition to any standard care. All participants will be followed up for 6 months. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration. Where is the study run from? University of Strathclyde (UK). Participants will be recruited at discharge from acute stroke wards across NHS Lanarkshire. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? From October 2011 to April 2013. Who is funding the study? Lifelong Health and Wellbeing (LLHW): a cross-research council initiative in partnership with the UK health departments and led by the Medical Research Council (MRC) (UK). Who is the main contact? Lucy Jones [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Stroke

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn