Integrating Stroke Survivors Into Cardiac Rehabilitation

University of South Carolina29 enrolled

Overview

The intervention trial will examine the effectiveness and feasibility of integrating stroke survivors into an existing hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation program at Novant Health in Charlotte, NC. Stroke survivors will be recruited through hospital system providers and physical therapists (PTs) for entry into a multidisciplinary, three-month cardiac rehabilitation program. This program consists of three sessions per week of supervised cardiovascular endurance and strength training, stretching, relaxation and education. Participants will be stroke survivors, have completed formal physical and occupational rehabilitation (if applicable), and have treating provider approval.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of stroke * Completion of physical and occupational therapy (if applicable) * Clearance by treating medical provider * Ability to walk at least 40 meters independently (with or without assistive device) * Ability to transfer sit to stand without assistance * Ability to follow instructions and provide information on exertion, pain and distress Exclusion Criteria: * Acute medical problem rendering exercise unsafe * Significant pain that prevents standing or interferes with movement * History of additional, non-stroke, neurological condition

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

6-minute walk Test

Aerobic and Walking Capacity Measure

Time frame: Change in 6-minute walk test at 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Walking Speed

Self-Selected walking speed for 10 meters

Time frame: Change in Walking Speed at 3 months

Timed Up and Go

Mobility Measure: timed movement from seated in a chair, walk 10 feet and return to sitting in a chair.

Time frame: Change in timed up and go at 3 months

Stroke Impact Scale

Quality of Life Questionnaire evaluating difficulty after stroke in 8 domains: strength, hand function, activities of daily living, mobility, communication, emotion, memory/thinking, participation/role function. Score is 0-100 in each domain and is transformed using the equation Domain score = (mean item score - 1)/4 \* 100. Higher Scores indicate less impact of stroke.

Time frame: Change in Stroke Impact Scale at 3 months

Fatigue Severity Scale

A scale measuring the perceived impact of fatigue on life activities. Total score is 9-63 with a higher score indicating more fatigue severity and impact.

Time frame: Change in Fatigue Severity Scale at 3 months

Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale

The Activities Specific Balance Confidence scale measures an individual's confidence in performing 16 activities without loss of balance. Possible scores are 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher balance confidence.

Time frame: Change in ABC Scale at 3 months

Readiness for Change Questionnaire

The readiness for change questionnaire evaluates self-perception of readiness and confidence in exercise, physical activity and overall wellness behaviors. Readiness score is 3-15 with higher scores indicating higher readiness, and confidence score 3-9 with a higher score indicating more confidence in behavior.

Time frame: Change in Readiness/Confidence in Behaviors at 3 months

Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9)

The patient health questionnaire is a 9 question self report measure of depression and depression severity. The score is 0-27 with a higher score indicating more severe depression.

Time frame: Change in PHQ9 at 3 months

Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Questionnaire

Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life questionnaire is a measure of satisfaction and importance of 7 domains (health, healthcare, self-care, energy, family/friends support, engagement in life activities, happiness). Raw scores are converted to overall scores by weighting satisfaction by importance and adjusting for unanswered questions. Total scores are 0-30 with higher scores indicating a higher quality of life.

Time frame: Change in Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Questionnaire at 3 months