An innovative method for delivering functional strength training exercises for the upper limb
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN66889949 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN66889949 |
| Protocol serial number | 32886 |
| Sponsor | University of East Anglia |
| Funder | The Health Foundation |
- Submission date
- 03/04/2017
- Registration date
- 27/06/2017
- Last edited
- 06/11/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Circulatory System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
A stroke is a serious condition where the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, usually by a blood clot blocking an artery (ischaemic stroke) or a bleed (haemorrhagic stroke). Stroke is a major health problem with around 1.2 million stroke survivors living in the UK. The most common problem following stroke is weakness or complete loss of movement affecting one side of the body. In order to promote movement recovery guidelines say that stroke survivors should have at least 45 minutes of physiotherapy a day but this is more likely to be directed toward activities such as getting out of bed or walking. Published studies have shown that during a hospital stay patients receive as little as 4-23 minutes a day of therapy for the arm. Poor recovery of the arm leads to greater dependence on carers for activities of daily living and social isolation. Therapists currently provide patients with an exercise prescription which is delivered through paper drawings. These are often insufficient and rely on the stroke survivor remembering the instructions and demonstration provided by the physiotherapist. The study team has developed an app designed to deliver exercise demonstrations and provide motivational tools to increase adherence to a prescribed exercise programme. It works by incorporating a number of behaviour change techniques including demonstration videos of the exercises in real time performed by stroke survivors; recording of the length and frequency the stroke survivors engage in the exercises; and to deliver reminders in order to further motivate stroke survivors. Before being able to evaluate the effectiveness of this app, it is important to determine whether this method of delivery is acceptable to both therapists and stroke survivors. The aim of this study therefore is to test the feasibility and acceptability of this app to see if a larger effectiveness study would be possible.
Who can participate?
Stroke survivors receiving therapy for an arm impairment as a result of stroke
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive their exercise prescription for arm activities on paper (usual care). Those in the second group receive their exercise prescription via the app that has been specifically designed for this project. Participants take part in the project for four weeks and their exercises are updated and delivered via either method by the therapist responsible for their movement rehabilitation. Each time participants complete their exercises they are asked to record how many they have done and how happy they feel about them. Before they receive their first exercise prescription as part of the project, participants complete an assessment to evaluate how well they can move their arm at that point in time. These assessments are repeated after four weeks when their participation in the study has finished. Some people who have received their exercises via the app are also asked to take part in a focus group to help the research team understand what they felt about using the app and also how they feel the app could be improved.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The delivery of an exercise prescription by therapists to stroke survivors with loss of arm movement is part of usual practice. Participants may experience minor pain as a result of the exercises. If the pain is infrequent and only occurs during or for up to 1 hour after the exercises, then the participant should alert their therapist who should alter the exercise programme as appropriate. If pain persists for three consecutive days then the participant is removed from the study. Participation in the project may however prove beneficial to the participant by encouraging them to engage in more exercise - evidence suggests that more exercise leads to greater movement recovery.
Where is the study run from?
University of East Anglia (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2016 to October 2017
Who is funding the study?
The Health Foundation (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Kathryn Mares
k.mares@uea.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Queens Building
University of East Anglia
Norwich
NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3923-4472 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)160 359 3099 |
| k.mares@uea.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Process of Care, Education or Self-Management, Rehabilitation |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | FeSTivAPP – an innovative method for delivering Functional Strength Training exercises for the Upper Limb in people after stroke – a feasibility study |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a bespoke designed app ‘FeSTivAPP’ in delivering functional strength training exercises for the upper limb in people after stroke. |
| Ethics approval(s) | West Midlands – Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee, 12/12/2016, ref: 16/WM/0481 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Stroke, Primary sub-specialty: Rehabilitation; UKCRC code/ Disease: Stroke/ Cerebrovascular diseases |
| Intervention | Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria for the trial and who have given written informed consent will complete the baseline clinical measures and then will be randomly allocated to one of two experimental groups. Group allocation will be randomised via randomly sorted opaque envelopes and managed by a member of the research team not involved in the day to day running of the trial. To ensure an even spread of participants from each geographical area the trialists will stratify for location and use block randomisation. Intervention group: arm exercises prescribed via a bespoke designed ‘app’. Therapists responsible for a participant’s care prescribe an individually tailored exercise programme which is uploaded to the app. Participants in this group then carry out their exercise according to this prescription. Exercises are demonstrated on the app using videos. On every occasion that a participant has completed their exercises, they record how many of each they have done of each. Control group: arm exercises prescribed via print outs on paper (usual care). They are also asked to record their feedback every time they complete their exercises. Interventions will be administered by the clinical therapists working with the stroke survivors. Both groups are monitored by their therapist as per usual practice. Frequency of follow up is dependent on the participant and the therapist. This would involve a face to face contact with the therapist who may change the exercise prescription or keep it the same as governed by the progress the participant is making with their movement recovery. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Impairment and activity limitations with arm movements is measured using the Action Research Arm Test at baseline and 4 weeks |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Upper limb impairment is measured using the Motricity Index at baseline and 4 weeks |
| Completion date | 31/10/2017 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 40 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults aged 18+ years, diagnosed with stroke (infarct or haemorrhage) 2. Presenting with an upper limb impairment and who would usually be prescribed an active exercise plan by therapists on the stroke pathway teams 3. Can follow a one-stage command, i.e. sufficient communication/orientation for interventions in this trial 4. Able to access the material on the app – i.e. sufficient vision to be able to see the video demonstrations |
| Key exclusion criteria | People unable to give informed consent |
| Date of first enrolment | 07/02/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Norwich
NR4 7UY
United Kingdom
Norwich
NR2 3TU
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
06/11/2017: The ISRCTN prospective/retrospective flag compares the date of registration with the recruitment start date and does not include any grace period. The registration of this study was requested through the NIHR Portfolio and was finalised within 6 months of the recruitment starting.
