Evidence for the retraining of sensation after stroke: a systematic review

Source: Clinical Rehabilitation 2009 Jan; 23 (1): 27-39

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Systematic Review

In a nutshell: Retraining of sensory function following stroke is frequently overlooked in rehabilitation protocols despite more than 60% of patients presenting with sensory deficits. Methods to train sensory function include both passive and active training protocols. Here we examined the volume and quality of the evidence available for both passive and active sensory training following stroke. In addition, we aimed to quantify the effect of sensory training on impairment and function.

Length of publication: 13 page article

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Ambulatory Activity of Stroke Survivors. Measurement Options for Dose, Intensity, and Variability of Activity

Source: Stroke, 2009 Jan 15 [Epub ahead of print]

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Walking activity is an important part of exercise prescription for stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to: (1) compare ambulatory activity parameters in subacute stroke survivors over three time periods; and (2) discuss options for measurement of ambulatory activity data with respect to absolute activity, intensity of activity, and variability and pattern of activity.

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The Constraint Induced Movement Therapy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials on the adult stroke patients

Source: Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE)

For full text link here

Year of publication: 2008

Publication type: Systematic Review

In a nutshell: To determine the effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in adult stroke patients.

Length of publication: 1 page document

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The prevalence of joint contractures, pressure sores, painful shoulder, other pain, falls, and depression in the year after a severely disabling stroke

Source: Stroke 2008 Dec; 39 (12): 3329-3334

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2008

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Complications after stroke have been shown to impede rehabilitation, lead to poor functional outcome, and increase cost of care. This inception cohort study sought to investigate the prevalence of immobility-related complications during the first year after severely disabling stroke in relation to functional independence and place of residence.

Length of publication: 6 page article

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The dose of flu that was really a stroke. . . and why we ALL need to learn the warning signs

Source: Daily Mail 13 January 2009

For full text link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: When Janel Rejna developed flu-like symptoms, she put it down to a virus and assumed she’d soon recover. But over the following days, those symptoms – a high temperature, cough, sore throat and pains – worsened and she went to her GP.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

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Cost-Effectiveness of Stroke Unit Care Followed by Early Supported Discharge

Source: Stroke 2009 Jan; 40: 24-29

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Stroke places a significant burden on the economy in England and Wales with the overall societal costs estimated at £7 billion per annum. There is evidence that both stroke units (SUs) and early supported discharge (ESD) are effective in treating patients with stroke. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of the combination of these 2 strategies and compares it with the care provided in SU without ESD and in a general medical ward without ESD. The objective of this study was to model the long-term (10 years) cost-effectiveness of SU care followed by ESD.

Length of publication: 6 page article

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Brain-cooling devices developed

Source: BBC 8 January 2009

For full text link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: Scientists have developed new ways to cool heart attack and stroke victims’ brains to protect them from brain damage. UK doctors believe that cooling could save lives by slowing the release of harmful chemicals from nerve cells, and many hospitals have adopted the idea.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

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Stroke Unit Care Is Beneficial Both for the Patient and for the Health Service and Should Be Widely Implemented

Source: Stroke 2009; 40: 1-2

For full text link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: Stroke unit (SU) care is the only treatment option for acute stroke with proven reduction of death. It is also the only intervention that has shown a reduction in long-term dependency, and the majority of stroke patients benefit from this intervention. Hence, SU care is by far the most important treatment for stroke patients and the only treatment of acute stroke that has a major impact on the burden of stroke.

Length of publication: 2 page editorial

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Some important notes: The original research article on which these comments are based can be found at http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/strokeaha;40/1/18

Management of patients with stroke or TIA: assessment, investigation, immediate management and secondary prevention

Source: SIGN

For full text link here

Year of publication: 2008

Publication type: Guideline

In a nutshell: This guideline provides recommendations based on current evidence for best practice in the management of patients with stroke or TIA.  It provides recommendations on:

• early management of suspected stroke
• treatment of patients with ischaemic stroke, TIA or primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH)
• reducing the risk of recurrence of further stroke by medical and surgical interventions and lifestyle changes
• providing information and support tailored to the needs of patients and carers.

Length of publication: 100 page document

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Going home to get on with life: Patients and carers experiences of being discharged from hospital following a stroke

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation 2009; 31 (2): 61-72

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: In this paper we aim to develop the understanding of what constitutes a ‘good’ or ‘poor’ experience in relation to the transition from hospital to home following a stroke.

Length of publication: 12 page article

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Association Between Recent Sports Activity, Sports Activity in Young Adulthood, and Stroke

Source: Stroke 2009; 40: 426-431

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Leisure-time physical activity protects from stroke. It is insufficiently established whether early lifetime physical activity is independently protective and whether some etiologic stroke subgroups particularly benefit from physical activity. We tested the hypothesis that both recent and early-adulthood sports activities are associated with reduced odds of stroke and analyzed their effects in stroke subtypes.

Length of publication: 6 page article

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How Active Are People With Stroke?: Use of Accelerometers to Assess Physical Activity

Source: Stroke 2009; 40: 163-168

For abstract link here

Year of publication: 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Accelerometers are a unique tool used to objectively measure free-living physical activity, but their reliability for people with stroke has not been established. The primary aim was to assess the day-to-day reliability of these instruments for the paretic and nonparetic hips. The secondary aims were to measure the amount of physical activity with accelerometers that people with stroke undertake in the community and its relationship with walking capacity (6-minute walk test distance).

Length of publication: 6 page article

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