Original ResearchAn Innovative STRoke Interactive Virtual thErapy (STRIVE) Online Platform for Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Section snippets
Methods
This was a multi-site, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in 2 Australian community centers in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. A full description of the study protocol is available.14 In brief, stroke survivors were recruited from local stroke support groups in the Melbourne metropolitan area or via advertisement in social or print media platforms.
Upon initial contact via phone or e-mail, the study was explained verbally or in writing. Interested participants were then sent
Demographic and clinical data
Sixty stroke survivors (25 women; age, 61.4±8.7y; time poststroke, 13.4±8.9y) enrolled in the study. Demographic data of participants allocated to the VT and UC groups are provided in table 1. There were 2 dropouts from the VT group (fig 1). The remaining participants randomized to the VT group (n=28) completed all 16 VT sessions. Thirty-nine VT sessions had to be rescheduled for the following reasons: a lack of transport or carer support (n=21), forgot to attend (n=9), unforeseen schedule
Discussion
This community-based study demonstrated quantitative improvements in UE function, as indicated by the FMUE, after the VT program compared with UC in stroke survivors. The improvement in the FMUE exceeded the range of improvement indicated as being clinically meaningful (FMUE, 4.25-7.25).15,17 This improvement is consistent with those noted in a recent Cochrane review, which found a small significant effect (mean difference, 2.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-4.65) across 16 trials (n=599) as a
Conclusions
Delivery of VT-based exercise through a community-based stroke support group is feasible, safe, and effective. The approach developed and tested in this study emphasized the remote, online delivery and monitoring of regular, tailored upper limb training. Exercise adherence was excellent and, in the absence of any adverse events because of the intervention, we can be confident a VT program can be safely tolerated in stroke survivors with mild-to-moderate UE impairment. Without observable changes
Suppliers
- a.
Jintronix Rehabilitation System; Jintronix.
- b.
Microsoft Xbox Kinect camera; Microsoft Corporation.
Acknowledgment
We thank Jessica Freeman, MSc, for assisting in data collection.
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Supported by the Heart Foundation (grant no. 101350). W.-P.T. was supported by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
Disclosure: M.M. received personal fees from Silverline Research. The other authors have nothing to disclose.
Clinical Trial Registration No.: ACTRN12617000745347.