Rehabilitation experts receive funding for project aimed at boosting recovery for stroke survivors

Glasgow Caledonian University has been awarded £267,168 from the Stroke Association to investigate how remote rehabilitation could reduce the chances of permanent disability in stroke survivors.

Professor of Allied Health Science Lorna Paul, in the Department of Physiotherapy and Paramedicine in the School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS), is leading the three-year study, which will work with up to 60 people within two months of having their first stroke.

The research project, entitled ‘PeRsonAlised Community based TelerehabIlitation post StrokE to increase rehabilitation time and improve motor recovery: a feasibility study (PRACTISE)’, involves evaluating a 16-week community rehabilitation intervention to improve the amount of therapy a stroke survivor receives.

Professor Paul explained: “Clinical guidelines recommend people who have had a stroke should receive up to three hours of therapy a day to get the best possible recovery, but that’s not possible to deliver within the NHS.

“This new study will support people who have recently been discharged from hospital following their stroke to do their personalised physiotherapy programme in-person and then remotely through telerehabilitation, supported by a therapist. Overall, aiming to improve the person’s functional ability and help them achieve their personal goals.”

About two-thirds of people who have a stroke are left with some level of disability. Rehabilitation helps to reduce the disability and supports people to return to a meaningful life.

Professor Paul added: “We know that the more rehabilitation you do, especially within the first six months after a stroke, the better the outcome, but rehabilitation services, especially in the community, are often lacking, non-specialist or time limited.

“The aim of our research is to evaluate a 16-week community rehabilitation intervention to improve the amount of therapy a stroke survivor receives, therefore, improving the outcome and reducing the disability.

“Our team are well experienced in stroke rehabilitation but before conducting a large multicentre trial, we need to test out the feasibility of the intervention and the way we evaluate the outcome in a smaller study.

“For this feasibility study, which has been developed for and with stroke survivors, we aim to recruit up to 60 people within two months of having their first stroke.

“To evaluate the feasibility of the study we will assess factors such as how many people agreed to take part, how many people completed the therapy sessions, and also completed the study. We will also interview participants and therapists to get their views on the programme and any changes we need to make. Finally, we will gather data on some clinical outcomes such as walking ability, arm function, level of disability, confidence level, fatigue and quality of life.

“Our ultimate aim is to improve the therapy time and reduce the levels of disability after a stroke by improving access to specialist community therapy services, and this feasibility study is a critical step on that pathway.”

Professor Paul is supported by a top team from Glasgow Caledonian, including Professor in Neurological Rehabilitation Sciences Frederike van Wijck; Professors of Nursing Lisa Kidd and Carol Bugge; Stroke Association Clinical Lecturer Dr Lesley Scobbie; Physiotherapy Lecturer Dr Elaine Coulter; Professor of Health Economics Helen Mason; and Honorary Professor Mark Barber, from University partner health board, NHS Lanarkshire.

Professor Paul also co-leads the SHLS Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation Research Group (SYNERGY) with Professor van Wijck.

The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading stroke charity. It provides specialist support, funds critical research, and campaigns to make sure people affected by a stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.

Dr Louise Flanagan, Head of Research at the Stroke Association, said: “The Stroke Association is pleased to be funding Professor Lorna Paul’s work at Glasgow Caledonian University as we recognise that PRACTISE has the potential to help more stroke survivors access personalised physical rehabilitation support.

“Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, yet we are nowhere near meeting the NICE guidelines for recommended levels of stroke rehabilitation. So, in the absence of adequate NHS funding for everyone who needs it, the development of new tools and technologies, such as telerehabilitation, could play an important role in reducing disability from stroke.

“We look forward to finding out more about how PRACTISE could be delivered to help and support both stroke survivors and healthcare professionals.”

Glasgow Caledonian has just been designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation for the next four years. The accolade recognises the University’s dedication to advancing nursing education and practice, and its expertise in rehabilitation.