Technology Enriched Stroke Rehabilitation in Acute/Sub-acute Stroke

Summary

Delivery of intensive rehabilitation plays an important part within stroke care and has the potential to affect rates of recovery and optimise outcomes as part of a wider multidisciplinary approach. New and innovative models of rehabilitation delivery are needed in order to bridge the gap between current staffing resources and recommended levels of rehabilitation intensity.

This study looks to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of such a model, using rehabilitation technology to enrich and enhance delivery of rehabilitation within an NHS inpatient stroke unit environment. This model of rehabilitation delivery has already been tested by the research team with community-dwelling participants in the chronic phase of stroke (over a year since stroke) and is known to be feasible and safe. Participants will be recruited from the stroke unit at University Hospital Wishaw during the acute and sub-acute phase of stroke (0-6 months since stroke), if requiring rehabilitation following a stroke and deemed medically fit enough to participate. Participants will be supported to complete activities in a newly dedicated 'technology enriched rehabilitation space' by NHS staff, in addition to their usual treatment. This will enable participants to engage in rehabilitation activities relating to their physical, cognitive, visual, communication and functional goals using equipment such as an adapted treadmill, interactive screens and tablets, upper limb exercise devices, power-assisted gym equipment and virtual reality. All devices are commercially available and known to be safe for use with stroke patients, however the use of such devices within NHS services is currently known to be under-utilised. Data will be obtained through a range of measures to monitor safety (incidence and types of adverse events), adherence (sessions/time attended, movement repetitions) and through interviews with participants, their family/carers, and staff to understand user acceptability.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

OTHER

Technology enriched stroke rehabilitation

In order to increase time spent in rehabilitation activity, participants will be prescribed and supported to use (by NHS staff) commercially available technology, such as robotics, adapted treadmills, virtual reality, and mobile digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable sensors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• NHS Lanarkshire

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• University of Strathclyde

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gillian Sweeney, PhD · South Health & Social Care Partnership

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-01

Primary Completion

2024-11-01

Completion

2024-11-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations