Effects of an Educational Intervention on Rehabilitation Clinicians' Practices for Health-related Outcomes After Stroke

Overview

The overall aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a study protocol for a future stepped wedge cluster randomized clinical trial (c-RCT) that will investigate the effects of an innovative KT intervention on 1) walking capacity and independence in ADL in patients undergoing rehabilitation after stroke (patient outcomes); and 2) clinicians' practice (i.e. use of 4 evidence-based stroke rehabilitation interventions: motor imagery/mental practice, rhythmic auditory stimulation gait therapy, task oriented training including fitness and mobility exercises and aerobic training) (provider outcome) aimed at improving walking capacity. The specific objectives are: 1) To evaluate the feasibility (effectiveness of clinician recruitment strategies, extent of losses to follow-up across sites, and data analysis plans) of the study protocol in terms of methodology (stepped wedge design is an innovative methodology); 2) To estimate intervention effect sizes on study outcomes (patient and clinician); 3) To evaluate the secondary outcome (clinicians' use of the 4 interventions) with regard to reliability and validity.

Walking capacity is the major priority for patients after stroke. Strong research evidence shows that walking capacity can be improved by rehabilitation interventions such as motor imagery, rhythmic auditory cueing, task-oriented training and aerobic exercise. Despite strong evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions on walking capacity, many clinicians (occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs)) do not use these in their practice. This knowledge translation (KT) pilot study aims to support evidence-based practice amongst rehabilitation clinicians working in stroke rehabilitation and collect data to inform a future larger clinical trial that will investigate if having repeated exposure to an innovative KT intervention will: increase clinicians' use of four targeted rehabilitation interventions (listed above) and positively affect walking capacity and independence in daily activities in patients after stroke. The investigators will recruit 2-3 OTs and 2-3 PTs per site from 6 major inpatient stroke rehabilitation centres across Canada to participate in a KT intervention consisting of an interactive and readily accessible web-based platform to deliver evidence-based knowledge on 4 rehabilitation interventions targeting walking capacity. This will be done via email in short online educational capsules including strategies for implementing the interventions and tools to promote reflection on current and future practice. They will then ask clinicians for feedback on: 1) the value of the knowledge delivered via email; 2) their perceptions about the success of using the guidelines with specific stroke patients; 3) the barriers they experienced when using the platform; and 4) the actual benefits for their patients. Through this innovative KT intervention, clinicians will have an opportunity to reflect upon and subsequently modify their practice to include evidence-based interventions known to improve walking capacity and functional independence.