Community Use of Physical and Occupational Therapy After Stroke and Risk of Hospital Readmission

Objectives

To determine whether receipt of therapy and number and timing of therapy visits decreased hospital readmission risk in stroke survivors discharged home.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Barriers to Physical Activity After Stroke: The Barriers to Physical Activity After Stroke Scale

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a self-reported questionnaire assessing the barriers to physical activity (PA) among stroke survivors.DesignPsychometric study.SettingAmbulatory stroke care.ParticipantsA total of one hundred and forty-six (N=146) individuals were included in this study. In stage 1, community-living stroke survivors (n=37; 13 women) with low-moderate disability (modified Rankin Score 0-3, stroke >3mo) were included. In stage 2, participants (n=109; 40 women) with same characteristics were included. Nine professionals experienced in PA for poststroke patients formed an expert panel.InterventionsIn stage 1, semistructured interviews identified perceived barriers to PA, which were then selected by the expert panel and grouped on a Barriers to Physical Activity After Stroke (BAPAS) scale. In stage 2, stroke participants completed a personal information questionnaire and the BAPAS scale.Main Outcome MeasuresAn item selection process with factor analysis was carried out. The suitability of the data set was analyzed using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient, internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach α, and concurrent validity was assessed with Spearman correlation coefficients between the BAPAS scale and the modified Rankin Scale. Test-retest repeatability was estimated using 2-way random effects intraclass correlation coefficient model 2,1 at 4-6 day follow-up (n=21).ResultsFactor analysis supported a 14-item BAPAS that explained 62% of total variance (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin=0.82) and total score calculated higher than 70 (higher scores for higher barriers). Cronbach α was 0.86, Spearman correlation with the modified Rankin Scale was r=0.65 (P<.001), and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79-0.97). The BAPAS scores were higher in patients with greater disabilities and in those with a longer time since the stroke event (P<.01).ConclusionWe developed and validated the BAPAS scale to assess barriers to PA in stroke survivors with low-moderate disability with promising psychometric properties.     

Development,Implementation, and Use of a Process to Promote Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation

Objective

To examine the use and effect of the Battery of Rehabilitation Assessments and Interventions on evidence-based practice (EBP) over 6 years.

Associations Between Adherence to the Physical Activity and Exercise Program Applied in the LAST Study and Functional Recovery After Stroke

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between participants’ adherence to a physical activity and exercise program after stroke and functional recovery 18 months after inclusion.DesignSecondary analyses of the intervention arm in the multisite randomized controlled trial Life After Stroke (LAST).SettingPrimary health care services in 3 Norwegian municipalities.ParticipantsOf the participants enrolled (N=380), 186 (48.9%) were randomized to the intervention. The study sample comprised community dwelling individuals included 3 months after stroke, with mean age of 71.7 ± 11.9 years and 82 (44.1%) women. According to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 97.3% were diagnosed as having mild (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale<8) and 2.7% with moderate (8-16 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) stroke.InterventionMonthly coaching by physiotherapists encouraging participants to adhere to 30 minutes of daily physical activity and 45-60 minutes of weekly exercise.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was Motor Assessment Scale (MAS). Secondary outcome measures were 6-minute walk test, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the physical domains of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Adherence was assessed by combining participants’ training diaries and physiotherapists’ reports.ResultsThe relationship between adherence and functional recovery was analyzed with simple and multiple linear regression models. Adjusted for age, sex, dependency, and cognition, results showed statistically significant associations between adherence and functional outcomes after 18 months, as measured by MAS, TUG, BBS, and SIS (P≤.026).ConclusionsIncreased adherence to physical activity and exercise was associated with improved functional recovery after mild to moderate stroke. This emphasizes the importance of developing adherence-enhancing interventions. Dose-response studies are recommended for future research.     

Reimagining Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Across the Care Continuum: Results From a Design-Thinking Workshop to Identify Challenges and Propose Solutions

Systems for stroke rehabilitation and recovery are variable and fragmented; stroke survivors often experience gaps in care with detrimental effects on their recovery. We designed and hosted a multidisciplinary and interactive workshop to discuss challenges facing patients recovering from stroke and to brainstorm solutions.Forty-one participants including clinicians, researchers, and stroke survivors attended the workshop. Participants were surveyed beforehand about challenges facing stroke recovery and results were tabulated as a word cloud. An interactive, design-thinking exercise was conducted that involved completing workbooks, hands-on prototype designing, and presentations, which were then analyzed through qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach.High frequency words in the word cloud of survey responses included access, fragmented, and uncertainty. Qualitative analysis revealed 6 major challenge themes including poor (1) transitions in and (2) access to care; (3) barriers to health insurance; (4) lack of patient support; (5) knowledge gaps; and (6) lack of standardized outcomes. Eleven unique solutions were proposed that centered around new technologies, health care system changes, and the creation of new support roles. Analysis of the alignment between the challenges and solutions revealed that the single proposed solution that solved the most identified challenges was a “comprehensive stroke clinic with follow-up programs, cutting edge treatments, patient advocation and research.”Through our interactive design-thinking workshop process and inductive thematic analysis, we identified major challenges facing patients recovering from stroke, collaboratively proposed solutions, and analyzed their alignment. This process offers an innovative approach to reaching consensus among interdisciplinary stakeholders.     

Did Clarification of Medicare Guidelines Change Outpatient Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Usage? A Retrospective Analysis

Objective

To determine if there was a change in the number of outpatient physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) visits for Medicare beneficiaries, and in the number of beneficiaries receiving extended courses of >12 therapy visits, after the Jimmo vs Sebelius settlement.

Utilization of Rehabilitation Services in Stroke: A Study Utilizing the Health and Retirement Study With Linked Medicare Claims Data

ObjectivesTo describe Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who used poststroke rehabilitation services and identified the strongest predictors of utilization after the initial stroke care episode.DesignPooled, cross-sectional design using data from 1998 to 2010 from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with linked Medicare claims data.SettingNA.ParticipantsStroke survivors who were Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries and participated in the HRS were included (N=515).Main Outcome MeasureUtilization of rehabilitation services up to 10 years poststroke was the primary outcome with logistic regression used to predict utilization. Covariates included demographic factors, baseline functional status, health conditions, personal lifestyle factors, and social support.ResultsRehabilitation service utilization was 21.6%, 6.8%, 15.8%, 16.5%, and <16% in years 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, respectively. Age was the primary factor predicting use of rehabilitation in the first 10 years poststroke (odds ratio: 1.14; P=.001). Recurrent stroke (odds ratio: 1.64; P=.051) was also significantly associated with utilization, whereas unspecified incident stroke at incident trended toward significance (odds ratio: 2.17; P=.077). None of the other factors was a significant predictor of participation in rehabilitation services in this period.ConclusionA small number of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who are stroke survivors utilize rehabilitation services in the first 10 years poststroke. Of those who do, age is the primary driver of utilization. We analyzed a multitude of factors that might influence utilization, but other factors not available in these data also need to be explored.     

Ability of Patient-Reported Outcomes to Characterize Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) After Attending a Primary Care Physical Therapist and Medical Doctor Collaborative Service: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives

To determine if the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function, pain interference, self-efficacy, and global rating of normal function (GRNF) scales are able to accurately characterize a patient’s acceptable symptom state (PASS).

Effectiveness of Technology-Based Distance Physical Rehabilitation Interventions for Improving Physical Functioning in Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of technology-based distance physical rehabilitation interventions on physical functioning in stroke.Data SourcesA systematic literature search was conducted in 6 databases from January 2000 to May 2018.Study SelectionInclusion criteria applied the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design framework as follows: (P) stroke; (I) technology-based distance physical rehabilitation interventions; (C) any comparison without the use of technology; (O) physical functioning; (S) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The search identified in total 693 studies, and the screening of 162 full-text studies revealed 13 eligible studies.Data ExtractionThe studies were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines and assessed for methodological quality and quality of evidence. Meta-analysis was performed if applicable.Data SynthesisA total of 13 studies were included, and online video monitoring was the most used technology. Seven outcomes of physical functioning were identified—activities of daily living (ADL), upper extremity functioning, lower extremity functioning, balance, walking, physical activity, and participation. A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs indicated that technology-based distance physical rehabilitation had a similar effect on ADL (standard mean difference 0.06; 95% confidence interval: ?0.22 to 0.35, P=.67) compared to the combination of traditional treatments (usual care, similar and other treatment). Similar results were obtained for other outcomes, except inconsistent findings were noted for walking. Methodological quality of the studies and quality of evidence were considered low.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the effectiveness of technology-based distance physical rehabilitation interventions on physical functioning might be similar compared to traditional treatments in stroke. Further research should be performed to confirm the effectiveness of technology-based distance physical rehabilitation interventions for improving physical functioning of persons with stroke.     

Use of Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Services and Hospital Readmission Following Ischemic Stroke in the United States

ObjectiveTo examine the association between hospital-based rehabilitation service use and all-cause 30-day hospital readmission among patients with ischemic stroke.DesignSecondary analysis of inpatient Medicare claims data using Standard Analytical Files.SettingAcute hospitals across the United States.ParticipantsFrom nationwide data, Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries (N=88,826) aged 66 years or older hospitalized for ischemic stroke between January to November 2010.InterventionsHospital-based rehabilitation services were quantified using Medicare inpatient claims revenue center codes for evaluation (occupational therapy [OT] and physical therapy [PT]), as well as the number of therapy units delivered. Therapy minutes for both OT and PT services were categorized into none, low, medium, and high.Main Outcome MeasuresAll-cause 30-day hospital readmission. A generalized linear mixed model was used to examine the effect of hospital-based rehabilitation services on 30-day hospital readmission, after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.ResultsIn fully adjusted models, compared to patients who received no PT, we observed a monotonic inverse relationship between the amount of PT and hospital readmission. For low PT (30 minutes), the odds ratio (OR) was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.96). For medium PT (>30 to ≤75 minutes), the OR was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.95). For high PT (>75 minutes), the OR was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.93).ConclusionHospital-based PT services were associated with lower risk of 30-day hospital readmission in patients with ischemic stroke.     

Conceptual Underpinnings of the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL): Comparisons of Core Sets for Stroke,Multiple Sclerosis,Spinal Cord Injury,and Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective

To determine the extent to which the content of the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL) covers the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) using summary linkage indicators.

Challenges to the Standardization of Trauma Data Collection in Burn,Traumatic Brain Injury,Spinal Cord Injury,and Other Trauma Populations: A Call for Common Data Elements for Acute and Longitudinal Trauma Databases

Objective

Common data elements (CDEs) promote data sharing, standardization, and uniform data collection, which facilitate meta-analyses and comparisons of studies. Currently, there is no set of CDEs for all trauma populations, but their creation would allow researchers to leverage existing databases to maximize research on trauma outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of common data collection among 5 trauma databases.

Drug Treatment,Postural Control,and Falls: An Observational Cohort Study of 504 Patients With Acute Stroke,the Fall Study of Gothenburg

ObjectiveTo identify whether, and to what extent, treatment with cardiovascular drugs and neurotropic drugs are associated with postural control and falls in patients with acute stroke.DesignObservational cohort study.SettingA stroke unit at a university hospital.ParticipantsA consecutive sample of patients (N=504) with acute stroke.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresPostural control was assessed using the modified version of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients. Data including baseline characteristics, all drug treatments, and falls were derived from medical records. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association of drug treatment and baseline characteristics with postural control and with falls.ResultsIn the multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with impaired postural control were treatment with neurotropic drugs (eg, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants) with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.97, P=.046); treatment with opioids (OR 9.23, 95% CI, 1.58-54.00, P=0.014); age (OR 1.09, 95% CI, 1.07-1.12, P<.0001), stroke severity, which had a high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale-score (OR 1.29, 95% CI, 1.15-1.45, P<.0001), and sedentary life style (OR 4.32, 95% CI, 1.32-14.17, P=.016). No association was found between neurotropic drugs or cardiovascular drugs and falls.ConclusionsTreatment with neurotropic drugs, particularly opioids, in the acute phase after stroke, is associated with impaired postural control. Since impaired postural control is the major cause of falls in patients with acute stroke, these results suggest opioids should be used with caution in these patients.     

Inpatient Rehabilitation Quality of Care From the Patient’s Perspective: Effect of Data Collection Timing and Patient Characteristics

ObjectiveTo compare, by collection time and patient characteristics, inpatient rehabilitation quality measure scores calculated using patient-reported data.DesignCohort study of rehabilitation inpatients with neurologic conditions who reported their experience of care and pain status at discharge and 1month after discharge.SettingTwo inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).ParticipantsPatients with neurologic conditions (N=391).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresWe calculated 18 quality measure scores using participants’ responses to 55 experience of care and health status questions addressing communication, support and encouragement, care coordination, discharge information, goals, new medications, responsiveness of staff, cleanliness, quietness, pain management, care transitions, overall hospital rating, willingness to recommend, and pain.ResultsOf the 391 participants reporting at discharge, 277 (71%) also reported postdischarge after multiple attempts by e-mail, mail, and telephone. Discharge experience of care quality scores ranged from 25% (responsiveness of hospital staff) to 75% (willingness to recommend hospital); corresponding postdischarge scores were 32% to 87%, respectively. Five of the 16 experience of care quality scores increased significantly between discharge and postdischarge. The percentage of participants reporting high pain levels at discharge did not change across time periods. Patients with less education, older age, higher motor and cognitive function, and those who were not Hispanic or black had more favorable quality measure scores.ConclusionPatients’ experience of care responses tended to be more favorable after discharge compared to discharge, suggesting that survey timing is important. Responses were more favorable for patients with selected characteristics, suggesting the possible need for risk adjustment if patient-reported quality measure scores are compared across IRFs.