Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with a history of minor ischemic stroke in Japan: a retrospective analysis

Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for stroke prevention; in particular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, few studies have investigated its relationship with recurrent ischemic stroke (RIS).

Objectives: To clarify the relationship between MVPA and RIS and the burden of risk factors after a first-ever ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 45 outpatients (mean age 67.1 ± 10.2 years) who had previously experienced a transient ischemic attack or a minor non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke at a single hospital in Japan (mean 6.4 ± 4.2 years previously), were enrolled between March and June 2016. All patients wore an accelerometer around their hips for 10 days, and their percentage body fat (%BF) and visceral fat level (VFL) were measured by bioelectrical impedance. Retrospective information about the history of RIS and risk factors (blood pressure, lipoprotein cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate) were extracted from the clinical records. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the relevance of the RIS history to MVPA and potential risk factors such as sociodemographic and clinical variables (obesity, smoking and hypertension).

Results: RIS occurred in 9 patients; they had significantly higher VFL (p = 0.007) and %BF (p = 0.007) values and lower MVPA (p = 0.011) values than patients without recurrence. A multivariate analysis of these factors indicated that age, VFL and MVPA were signi?cant independent predictors of RIS.

Conclusions: Patients with a history of mild ischemic stroke had low MVPA and high VFL values, which together may be a risk factor for RIS.     

Increasing physical activity in stroke survivors using STARFISH,an interactive mobile phone application: a pilot study

Background: Following stroke, people are generally less active and more sedentary which can worsen outcomes. Mobile phone applications (apps) can support change in health behaviors. We developed STARFISH, a mobile phone app-based intervention, which incorporates evidence-based behavior change techniques (feedback, self-monitoring and social support), in which users’ physical activity is visualized by fish swimming.

Objective: To evaluate the potential effectiveness of STARFISH in stroke survivors.

Method: Twenty-three people with stroke (12 women; age: 56.0 ± 10.0 years, time since stroke: 4.2 ± 4.0 years) from support groups in Glasgow completed the study. Participants were sequentially allocated in a 2:1 ratio to intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 8) groups. The intervention group followed the STARFISH program for six weeks; the control group received usual care. Outcome measures included physical activity, sedentary time, heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, Fatigue Severity Scale, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living Scale, Ten-Meter Walk Test, Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale, and Psychological General Well-Being Index.

Results: The average daily step count increased by 39.3% (4158 to 5791 steps/day) in the intervention group and reduced by 20.2% (3694 to 2947 steps/day) in the control group (p = 0.005 for group–time interaction). Similar patterns of data and group–time interaction were seen for walking time (p = 0.002) and fatigue (p = 0.003). There were no significant group–time interactions for other outcome measures.

Conclusion: Use of STARFISH has the potential to improve physical activity and health outcomes in people after stroke and longer term intervention trials are warranted.     

Normobaric oxygen therapy in acute ischemic stroke: A pilot study in Indian patients

Purpose:

Clinical and radiological assessment of effects of normobaric high-flow oxygen therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Materials and Methods:

Patients with anterior circulation ischemic strokes presenting within 12 h of onset, ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, an National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of >4, a mean transit time (MTT) lesion larger than diffusion-weighted image (DWI) (perfusiondiffusion mismatch), and an evidence of cortical hypoperfusion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included into the trial. Active chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), requirement of >3/L min oxygen delivery to maintain SaO2 > 95%, rapidly improving neurological deficits, pregnancy, contraindications to MRI, or unstable medical conditions were excluded. The experimental group received humidified oxygen at flow rates of 10 L/min for 12 h. The NIHSS, modified Rankin Score (mRS), Barthel Index (BI) were measured at 0, 1, 7 day of admission and at 3 months follow-up. MRI with DWI/PWI was performed at admission, 24 h later and at 3 months follow-up.

Results:

Of 40 patients (mean age = 55.8 years ± 13.2) (range, 26–82), 20 patients were randomized to normobaric oxygen (NBO). The mean NIHSS in NBO and control groups were 14.25 and 12.7 at admission which decreased to 11.6 and 9.5 on the seventh day, and 9.4 and 9.05 at 3 months, respectively. The mean mRS (3.7/3.7) and BI (58.2/53.9) in NBO and control groups improved to 2/2.2 and 73.05/73.8 at the end of 3 months, respectively.

Conclusions:

NBO did not improve the clinical scores of stroke outcome in Indian patients with AIS.     

Promoting physical activity after stroke via self-management: a feasibility study

Background: Many people with mild disability after stroke are physically inactive despite the risk of recurrent stroke. A self-management program may be one strategy to increase physical activity in stroke survivors.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of a self-management program, and determine whether self-management can increase daily physical activity levels and self-efficacy for exercise, decrease cardiovascular risk, and improve walking ability, participation, and quality of life in people with mild disability after stroke.

Method: A Phase I, single-group, pre-post intervention study was carried out with twenty stroke survivors who had mild disability and were discharged directly home from acute stroke units. A self-management program was delivered via five home-based sessions over 3 months, incorporating: education, goal setting, barrier identification, self-monitoring, and feedback. Feasibility of the intervention was determined by examining adherence, duration, usefulness, and safety. Clinical outcomes were amount of physical activity (duration of moderate physical activity in min/day and counts of physical activity in steps/day), self-efficacy, cardiovascular risk, walking ability, participation, and quality of life.

Results: The intervention was feasible with 96% of sessions being delivered, each taking less than an hour (41 min, SD 12). Participants perceived the self-management program to be useful and there were few adverse events. At 3 months, participants completed 27 min/day (95% CI 4–49) more moderate physical activity than at baseline and 16 min/day (95% CI ?10 to 42) at 6 months.

Conclusion: Self-management appears to be feasible and has the potential to increase physical activity in people with mild disability after stroke. A Phase II randomized trial is warranted.     

老年缺血性脑卒中后轻度血管性认知障碍的影响因素

目的分析老年缺血性脑卒中后轻度血管性认知障碍(VCI)的影响因素。方法对患者一般资料、体格检查、认知评估及影像学资料进行收集与调查,并行单因素分析与Logistic回归分析。结果老年缺血性卒中后轻度VCI的发生与患者年龄、文化程度、冠心病、糖尿病、高血压、卒中次数、发病部位及卒中面积有关;与性别、BMI、吸烟、饮酒等无明显相关。Logistic回归分析显示,文化程度为老年缺血性脑卒中后轻度VCI发生的保护因素,而年龄、冠心病、糖尿病、高血压、卒中次数、发病部位及卒中面积是危险因素。结论老年缺血性脑卒中后轻度VCI发生的危险因素众多,临床上可进行针对性的早期干预。     

轻型急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓治疗的疗效分析

目的 探讨重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)治疗轻型急性缺血性脑卒中患者的疗效。方法 收集100例发病<4.5 h的轻型急性缺血性脑卒患者,随机分为溶栓组50例,未溶栓组50例; 溶栓组于入院后给予重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)静脉溶栓治疗,24 h后非心源性脑栓塞患者给予阿司匹林+氯吡格雷双联抗血小板聚集治疗,21d后改阿司匹林或氯吡格雷治疗,心源性脑栓塞患者给予抗凝治疗; 未溶栓组非心源性脑栓塞患者给予阿司匹林+氯吡格雷双联抗血小板聚集治疗,21d后改阿司匹林或氯吡格雷治疗,心源性脑栓塞患者给予抗凝治疗; 对所有患者入院时及治疗后第14 d、90 d分别进行NIHSS神经功能缺损评分及第90 d mRS评分,比较2组患者的疗效和预后。结果 入院时溶栓组及未溶栓组患者一般临床资料、NIHSS评分及mRS评分等比较无明显差异(P>0.05); 治疗后第14、90 d与未溶栓组患者比较,溶栓组患者的NIHSS评分及mRS评分显著降低,溶栓组患者的预后明显好于未溶栓组(P<0.05); 2组患者的颅内出血发生率、缺血性脑卒中复发率比较无明显差异(P均>0.05),且2组患者均无死亡。结论 rt-PA静脉溶栓治疗轻型急性缺血性脑卒中患者安全有效。     

A double-blind study of neurotropin in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Neurotropin was found to reduce brain oedema in an experimental model of brain infarction in the guinea-pig. A randomized double-blind controlled trial with Neurotropin was performed in 220 patients admitted within 24 h after an acute ischemic stroke. 35 of the neurotropin and 41 of the placebo-randomized patients had to be excluded. 10 included patients in the neurotropin and 13 in the placebo-treated group died within the study period of 15 days. A better clinical outcome was observed in the 65 included surviving neurotropin compared with the 56 placebo-treated patients. The size of the infarct and of the oedema zones was significantly more decreased on CTscans from Day 11 compared with Day 3 after stroke in the neurotropin than in the placebo treated group. Neurotropin is helpful in treating brain oedema, related to acute ischemic stroke.     

Reliability of intensity-based physical activity measurement using an activity monitor in people with subacute stroke in the hospital setting: a cross-sectional study

Background Activity monitors are known to provide quantitative evaluation of physical activity in people with stroke. However, little evidence is available on the test–retest reliability and suitable measuring conditions for evaluating physical activity with an activity monitor in people with subacute stroke at a hospital setting.

Objectives To evaluate reliability of physical activity measurement using an activity monitor in different measuring conditions in hospitalized people with subacute stroke according to gait ability.

Methods Sixty-nine participants with subacute stroke were categorized based on their gait ability: group 1 (n = 22), could walk independently at sufficient gait speed (≥0.9 m/s); group 2 (n = 11), could walk independently with insufficient gait speed (<0.9 m/s); group 3 (n = 36), required assistance in walking. Physical activity (sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) was measured using an activity monitor (OMRON, HJA350-IT) for seven consecutive days. All physical activity variables were calculated in five conditions defined according to measurement periods (3, 5, or 7 days with or without weekends).

Results In groups 1 and 2, intraclass correlation coefficients were high across all measuring conditions in all physical activity variables (>0.7). In group 3, intraclass correlation coefficients were high in all measuring conditions (>0.7) except for three weekdays measuring condition (0.563–0.922).

Conclusions In hospitalized people with subacute stroke, the central tendency of intensity-based physical activity could be assessed with good reliability using an activity monitor. For reliable measurement, more measurement days are needed in those with dependent walking compared to those with independent walking.     

Randomized controlled trial of home rehabilitation for patients with ischemic stroke: impact upon disability and elderly depression

Background: Patients with major stroke are often left with disability and may have depression and dementia during the recovery phase. Rehabilitation programmes have been shown to improve short‐term physical outcome, but their long‐term effectiveness and impact on dementia and depression are uncertain. Methods: We performed a 6‐month randomized controlled trial of a home rehabilitation programme and compared it with the standard care patients with recent ischemic stroke receive. The intervention group received home‐based physical therapy once a month for 6 months, along with educational support, counselling and audiovisual materials. The control group received rehabilitation as prescribed by a physician and educational materials upon discharge from hospital. The primary measurement was a change in Barthel Index. Secondary measurements were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Thai Mini‐Mental State Examination. Results: Of the 68 screened patients, 60 patients were enrolled. At baseline, there was no significant difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. Over 2 years, the mean Barthel Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (Barthel Index mean: from 31.7 ± 5.9 to 97.2 ± 2.8 vs from 33.2 ± 4.8 to 76.4 ± 9.4, P < 0.001; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale mean: from 16.1 ± 7.6 to 9.1 ± 0.3 vs 16.4 ± 4.9 to 9.1 ± 0.3, P= 0.003). Depression was strongly associated with being dependent on others. However, the Thai Mini‐Mental State Examination in both groups did not significantly differ (Thai Mini‐Mental State Examination mean: from 24.4 ± 2.0 to 24.6 vs 23.8 ± 1.9 to 24.1 ± 0.3, P= 0.068). There was no significant interaction between baseline characteristics and treatment outcome. Conclusions: At 2 years follow‐up, it was evident that a 6‐month home rehabilitation programme after ischemic stroke improved functional outcome and reduced incidence of depression, but not dementia.     

Young ischemic stroke in Tunisia: a multicentric study

Purpose: There is wanting data regarding young ischemic stroke in developing countries, especially in Tunisia. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors and etiologies of young ischemic stroke in Tunisian and make a comparison with previous reports. Materials and methods: A total of 102 young ischemic stroke patients (15–45 years old) were admitted, between January 1996 and August 2007, to 11 departments of internal medicine in different Tunisian hospitals. The risk factors for stroke were documented and assessed. Diagnosis workup consisted of anamnesis, complete physical examination and extensive laboratory, radiologic, immunologic, neurologic and cardiologic examination. Stroke etiologies were classified according the Trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment. Results: There were 42 men (41.2%) and 60 women (58.89%) with a mean age at onset of 35.7 years. As regards stroke subtype, large-artery atherosclerosis was diagnosed in 6.9% of cases, cardioembolism in 11.8%, small-vessel occlusion in 8.8%, other determined etiology in 37.3% and undetermined etiology in 35.3%. Concerning the traditional risk factors, smoking (31.4%), hypertension and diabetes mellitus (12.7% for each one) and a family history of stroke (10.8%) were the most common. The mean follow-up period was 30.5 months. Conclusions: In our study, traditional risk factors were not-so-uncommon in young adults with ischemic stroke suggesting that prevention can go through controlling these factors. Stroke of other determined etiology was the most common among our patients, so that a broad and detailed diagnostic workup is crucial to puzzle out the etiology for more and better stroke prevention.     

缺血性卒中患者颅内外血管狭窄率研究

目的:研究缺血性卒中患者颅内外血管狭窄或闭塞的发生率,并对其相关病因进行分析。方法:对经CT/MRI/DWI诊断的缺血性卒中患者的人口构成情况进行登记,了解其相关危险因素。并经TCD和/或MRA了解其颅内外血管狭窄或闭塞的情况。结果:579例缺血性卒中患者中,颅内外血管狭窄的发生率为70.98%(411/579例);411例大动脉狭窄或闭塞患者中,以大脑中动脉狭窄或闭塞最常见(64.48%),其次为颈内动脉(50.36%)。大动脉狭窄或闭塞的主要原因为动脉粥样硬化,引起动脉粥样硬化的危险因素的发病率依次为:高血压病(77.24%),吸烟(63.68%)。通过Logistic回归分析发现,糖尿病、高血压、吸烟是血管狭窄的主要相关危险因素(P值均<0.05)。结论:国内缺血性卒中患者颅内外血管狭窄或闭塞的发生率高,其主要病因为动脉粥样硬化,糖尿病是大动脉狭窄或闭塞的最主要危险因素。     

Hurdles in stroke thrombolysis: Experience from 100 consecutive ischemic stroke patients

Background:

Acute management of ischemic stroke involves thrombolysis within 4.5 h. For a successful outcome, early recognition of stroke, transportation to the hospital emergency department immediately after stroke, timely imaging, proper diagnosis, and thrombolysis within 4.5 h is of paramount importance.

Aim:

To analyze the obstacles for thrombolysis in acute stroke patients.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted in a tertiary care center in South India. A total of hundred consecutive patients of acute ischemic stroke who were not thrombolysed, but otherwise fulfilled the criteria for thrombolysis were evaluated prospectively for various factors that prevented thrombolysis. The constraints to thrombolysis were categorized into: i) Failure of patient to recognize stroke symptoms, ii) patient''s awareness of thrombolysis as a treatment modality for stroke, iii) failure of patient''s relative to recognize stroke, iv) failure of primary care physician to recognize stroke, v) transport delays, vi) lack of neuroimaging and thrombolysis facility, and vii) nonaffordability.

Results:

The biggest hurdle for early hospital presentation is failure of patients to recognize stroke (73%), followed by lack of neuroimaging facility (58%), nonaffordability (56%), failure of patient''s relative to recognize stroke (38%), failure of the primary care physician to recognize stroke (21%), and transport problems (13%). Awareness of thrombolysis as a treatment modality for stroke was seen only in 2%.

Conclusion:

Considering the urgency of therapeutic measures in acute stroke, there is necessity and room for improvement to overcome various hurdles that prevent thrombolysis.     

急性缺血性脑卒中早期神经功能恶化诊治进展

急性缺血性脑卒中早期神经功能恶化(early neurological deterioration,END)也称进行性或进展性卒中,指早期阶段病情继续进展、神经功能损伤逐渐加重,其发病机制目前尚未完全阐明,亦缺乏早期识别及治疗的有效手段,死亡率和病残率较高.本文就近年END诊治的相关研究进展做一综述.     

Nimodipine in acute ischemic stroke: a double-blind controlled study

Nimodipine (BAY e 9736), a new dihydropyridine derivative, has been shown to reduce neurological deficits and mortality induced by acute cerebral ischemia in experimental studies. We investigated the effects of this calcium antagonist in patients with acute ischemic stroke through a randomized, double-blind, parallel-designed trial in which nimodipine was compared with placebo. Forty-one of 54 screened cases were found to fulfil the inclusion criteria (sudden occurrence of a focal neurological deficit secondary to an acute ischemic event in the carotid area diagnosed after a complete neurological work-up) and entered the study. Nineteen of them were treated with nimodipine (40 mg t.i.d. administered for 28 days) and the remaining 22 with placebo, given in identical tablets. In all patients the treatment started within 12 h after the onset of the symptoms. Course and intensity of the neurological deficit were evaluated by the Mathew Scale (slightly modified). Forty patients concluded the trial. Nimodipine was withdrawn in one case following the occurrence of a skin rash whose causative relation with the test drug could not be clarified. Altogether, however, nimodipine was well tolerated and no severe cardiovascular adverse reactions were observed. In terms of efficacy, the scores obtained by the Mathew Scale showed a higher rate of improvement on nimodipine than on placebo, thus indicating that patients receiving the latter drug did not fare as well as those receiving the test medication. Our data suggest that nimodipine may be beneficial in the treatment of acute stroke.