Mariangela Taricco1, Laura Dallolio2, Simona Calugi3, Paola Rucci3, Stefania Fugazzaro4, Mary Stuart5, Paolo Pillastrini3, Maria Pia Fantini3. 1. University Hospital Policlinico Sant'Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy. 2. Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy laura.dallolio@unibo.it. 3. Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 4. Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy. 5. Health Administration and Policy Program, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of Adapted Physical Activity (APA) and Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) improves function and quality of life in survivors of strokes. METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled study enrolled patients with mild to moderate hemiparesis referred to 2 physical medicine and rehabilitation units in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, 3 to 18 months after a single unilateral mild to moderate stroke. The experimental group (n = 126) received 16 APA sessions and 3 sessions of TPE, and the control group (n = 103) received usual care; 86.9% completed treatment. The main outcome measure was a 4-month change in gait endurance (that corresponds to 2 months after intervention in the experimental group), and secondary outcomes included the Short Physical Performance Battery, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, and Caregiver Strain Index. Changes in scores at 4 months were compared between groups using analysis of variance and controlling for group imbalance by means of the propensity score. RESULTS: Gait endurance, physical performance, balance, and the physical component of the quality of life score increased significantly at 4 months in the APA group and remained stable in the control group. The propensity-adjusted between-group change was significant for these scores at P < .01. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that it is feasible and potentially effective to implement APA programs for elderly patients with complex clinical conditions as early as 3 months after a stroke and suggest that, when combined with TPE, the effects of a postrehabilitation APA program are relatively enduring.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of Adapted Physical Activity (APA) and Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) improves function and quality of life in survivors of strokes. METHODS: This nonrandomized controlled study enrolled patients with mild to moderate hemiparesis referred to 2 physical medicine and rehabilitation units in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, 3 to 18 months after a single unilateral mild to moderate stroke. The experimental group (n = 126) received 16 APA sessions and 3 sessions of TPE, and the control group (n = 103) received usual care; 86.9% completed treatment. The main outcome measure was a 4-month change in gait endurance (that corresponds to 2 months after intervention in the experimental group), and secondary outcomes included the Short Physical Performance Battery, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, 12-item Short-Form Health Survey, and Caregiver Strain Index. Changes in scores at 4 months were compared between groups using analysis of variance and controlling for group imbalance by means of the propensity score. RESULTS: Gait endurance, physical performance, balance, and the physical component of the quality of life score increased significantly at 4 months in the APA group and remained stable in the control group. The propensity-adjusted between-group change was significant for these scores at P < .01. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that it is feasible and potentially effective to implement APA programs for elderly patients with complex clinical conditions as early as 3 months after a stroke and suggest that, when combined with TPE, the effects of a postrehabilitation APA program are relatively enduring.
Authors: Mary Stuart; Alexander W Dromerick; Richard Macko; Francesco Benvenuti; Brock Beamer; John Sorkin; Sarah Chard; Michael Weinrich Journal: Neurorehabil Neural Repair Date: 2019-07-11 Impact factor: 3.919
Authors: Gayatri Aravind; Kainat Bashir; Jill I Cameron; Jo-Anne Howe; Susan B Jaglal; Mark T Bayley; Robert W Teasell; Rahim Moineddin; Joanne Zee; Walter P Wodchis; Alda Tee; Susan Hunter; Nancy M Salbach Journal: Pilot Feasibility Stud Date: 2022-04-22
Authors: Sofia Marini; Erica Leoni; Alessandra Raggi; Tiziana Sanna; Nazzarena Malavolta; Buffa Angela; Pasqualino Maietta Latessa; Laura Dallolio Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-18 Impact factor: 3.390