Stroke in Brazil: prevalence, activity limitations, access to healthcare, and physiotherapeutic treatment.

Background:  Stroke remains a public health problem, reported as the third cause of disability. Among survivors, the ability to perform usual daily activities may be reduced, requiring rehabilitation.

Objective:  To investigate the prevalence of self-reported stroke, the accessibility of healthcare, and the degree and percentage of patients with limitations in usual activities who are unassisted by physiotherapeutic treatment in different regions of the country.

Validity and reliability of the modified sphygmomanometer test for assessing upper limb and trunk muscle strength in adolescents.

The Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) is a method for assessing muscle strength that offers objective measures similar to those of a portable dynamometer, while also being cost-effective. However, previous studies have not investigated the measurement properties of the MST in adolescents. Thus, the objectives of the study were (1) to examine the concurrent criterion validity, test-retest and interrater reliability of the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (TMS) for assessing muscle strength in adolescents, (2) to calculate the Standard Error of Measurement (EPM) and the smallest real difference (SRD) of muscle strength values; and (3) analyze the different forms of operationalization and their influence on the results obtained.

Contextual and clinical factors as explainers of stroke severity, residual motor impairments, and functional independence during hospitalization.

Objective: To investigate if contextual and clinical factors would explain stroke severity, residual motor impairments, and functional independence in people with stroke during hospitalization.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study retrieved data from medical records between January 2014 to December 2021. Explanatory independent variables were contextual (sex, age, marital status, occupation, and local of residence) and clinical (stroke type, length of hospital stay, and cognitive function) factors.

Maximum heart rate prediction equations based on field-tests with adequate clinical applicability for aerobic exercise prescription to individuals after stroke.

Objectives: 1) to develop two maximum heart rate (HR) prediction equations for individuals after stroke; 2) to investigate its validity.

Methods: The HR was obtained by a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET). Participants also completed the Six-minute Walking Test (6MWT) and the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT).

Acute predictors of self-rated health in individuals with stroke at 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge.

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is the perception of an individual regarding their health and an indicator of health status. Identifying predictors of SRH allows the selection of evidence-based interventions that mitigate factors leading to poor SRH and the identification of individuals at risk of worse SRH.

Objective: To determine the acute predictors of general and time-comparative SRH of individuals with stroke at 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge, considering personal, physical, and mental functions.

A single trial of the five-repetition sit-to-stand test provides adequate measures in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To investigate whether the number of trials would affect the results of the Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (5STSt) and its measurement properties in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Three trials of the 5STSt, after familiarization, were performed by 50 older adults (69.9 ± 5.

General and Specific Quality of Life Course of Individuals with Different Levels of Stroke Severity: A One-Year Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: To compare the course of generic and specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals with stroke, and its physical, mental, and social domains, at three, six, and 12 months after hospital discharge, considering the levels of stroke severity.

Methods: This is a longitudinal study, in stroke individuals, assessed during hospital admission by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and divided into mild (NIHSS ≤3) or moderate/severe (NIHSS ≥4) disease. At three, six, and 12 months after hospital discharge, the individuals were assessed for generic (Short Form Health Survey-36: total score and physical and mental domains) and specific (Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale: total score and social domain) HRQOL.

A scoping review of patient and public involvement in empirical stroke research.

Background: Impactful, evidence-based solutions in surveillance, prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation for stroke survivors are required to address the high global burden of stroke. Patient and public involvement (PPI), where patients, their families, and the public are actively involved as research partners, enhances the relevance, credibility, and impact of stroke-related research.

Aims: This scoping review, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Scoping Review guidelines, aims to identify and summarize how PPI is currently implemented and reported in empirical stroke research using a participatory approach.

Acute clinical outcomes predict both generic and specific health-related quality of life six and 12 months after stroke: A one-year prospective study developed in a middle-income country.

Objective: To identify acute predictors of generic and specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) six and 12 months after stroke in individuals from a middle-income country.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective study. The dependent outcomes assessed during six and 12 months after stroke included both generic and specific HRQoL (Short Form Health Survey-36 [SF-36] and stroke-specific quality of life [SSQOL]).

Predictors of muscle strength assessed with the modified sphygmomanometer test.

Objectives: To investigate the best predictor of muscle strength assessed with both Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) methods (bag adaptation and non-adapted) and to provide normative values for these two MST methods for the strength assessment of the trunk, upper, and lower limb muscles.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: The strength of 42 muscle groups were assessed with the MST in the bag adaptation and non-adapted methods in 120 healthy individuals, 50 % males, divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79) with 40 subjects per group.

Effectiveness of behavior change and self-management theoretically-informed telehealth interventions for stroke secondary prevention: An overview of systematic reviews.

Introduction: Despite the increased use of telehealth interventions, low-level evidence supports their use for behavior change and self-management in stroke secondary prevention. Therefore, this overview of systematic reviews (SRs) critically appraises and consolidates the evidence about theoretically-informed telehealth interventions in stroke secondary prevention.

Methods: Two phases were conducted independently by two reviewers.

Predictors of health-related quality of life one year after stroke: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The objective was to investigate, through a systematic review, which independent variables predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) one year after stroke. Searches were conducted in LILACS, MEDLINE, Scielo, Web of Science, and PEDro. The inclusion criteria were observational longitudinal studies, which included at least one independent variable measured at baseline, as a potential predictor of HRQoL measured 12 months after stroke.

Longitudinal associations between stroke-related neurologic deficits and course of basic activities of daily living up to six months after stroke.

Purpose: To investigate the course of basic activities of daily living (ADL) from admission up to six months after the stroke and the longitudinal associations between stroke-related neurological deficits at admission to the stroke unit and course of basic ADL.

Materials And Methods: 180 individuals with a first-ever stroke were assessed at admission to the stroke unit and at follow-ups of three and six months. Stroke-related neurological deficits were assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

R3-Walk and R6-Walk, Simple Clinical Equations to Accurately Predict Independent Walking at 3 and 6 Months After Stroke: A Prospective, Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate if independent walking at 3 and 6 months poststroke can be accurately predicted within the first 72 hours, based on simple clinical bedside tests.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study with 3-time measurements: immediately after stroke, and 3 and 6 months poststroke.

Setting: Public hospital.

Cycling using functional electrical stimulation therapy to improve motor function and activity in post-stroke individuals in early subacute phase: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Stroke necessitates interventions to rehabilitate individuals with disabilities, and the application of functional electrical stimulation therapy (FEST) has demonstrated potential in this regard. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and effectiveness of cycling using FEST to improve motor function and lower limb activity in post-stroke individuals.

Methods: We performed a systematic review according to the recommendations of the PRISMA checklist, searching MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, and PEDro databases by July 2022, without any date or language limitations.

Predicting self-perceived manual ability at three and six months after stroke: A prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Recovery of manual ability is a critical issue in rehabilitation. Currently, little is known regarding the baseline predictors of self-perceived manual ability, which could capture information on individual's perceived functional ability, especially in carrying-out routine tasks outside clinical settings.

Objective: To identify baseline predictors, which can be easily obtained within clinical settings, of self-perceived manual ability at three and six months after discharge from a stroke unit.

Trunk biomechanical changes between the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit performed at self-selected and fast speeds in stroke survivors.

Purpose: To compare the trunk biomechanical characteristics between the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit performed at self-selected and fast speeds in stroke survivors and healthy-matched controls.

Methods: Thirty individuals (15 stroke survivors and 15 healthy-matched controls) were included. The following biomechanical characteristics were determined: peak of trunk forward flexion and time until the peak of trunk forward flexion, total duration, phase I (sit-to-stand: time spent from the beginning to seat-off; stand-to-sit: time spent from the beginning to seat-on) and II durations (sit-to-stand: time spent from seat-off to the end of the task; stand-to-sit: time spent from the seat-on to the end of the task).

Balance deficit is the domain of the Fugl-Meyer scale that best explain limitations in functional independence during hospitalization after a stroke.

Purpose: To investigate which of the residual sensorimotor impairments, assessed by the Fugl-Meyer scale, would best explain functional independence during hospitalization after a stroke.

Methods: This cross-sectional study retrieved data from medical records between January 2014 to December 2021. Explanatory independent variables were the following domains of the Fugl-Meyer scale: joint pain, joint range of motion, balance, sensory function, and motor function of the upper and lower limbs.

Effects of high-intensity respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength in individuals with Parkinson's disease: Protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of high-intensity respiratory muscle training (combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training) in improving inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, peak cough flow, dyspnea, fatigue, exercise capacity, and quality of life in this population.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial, concealed allocation, blinded assessments, and intention-to-treat analysis will be carried out. Altogether, 34 individuals with PD (age ≥ 50 years old, with maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) <80cmH2O or maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) <90cmH2O) will be recruited.

Are age-predicted equations valid in predicting maximum heart rate in individuals after stroke?

Purpose: To investigate the validity of six age-predicted maximum heart rate (HR) equations after stroke.

Material And Methods: Sixty individuals (54 (12) years; 64 (69) months after stroke) were included. A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) performed on a treadmill obtained the HR The most used age-predicted equations were investigated: (1) 220-age, proposed by Fox; (2) 206.

Relative contributions of positive, negative, and adaptive features to limitations in upper-limb function three months after stroke.

Purpose: To investigate the contributions of motor impairments to limitations in upper-limb function three months after stroke.

Design: Cross-sectional, exploratory study.

Methods: Dependent variable was upper-limb function, measured by the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), which scores range from 0 to 18.

Individuals with stroke three months after hospital discharge reported worse quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To compare quality of life (QOL) of individuals with stroke three months after hospital discharge, using generic and specific QOL measures, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Individuals, who were admitted to a public hospital, were recruited and evaluated before (G1) and during (G2) the COVID-19 pandemic. The groups were matched for age, sex, socio-economic status, and levels of stroke severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and functional dependence (Modified Barthel Index).

Predictors of access to healthcare services within 1 month after stroke in a developing country: A longitudinal prospective study.

Background: Globally, people with disabilities face difficulties accessing care, resulting in worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. However, information regarding access to healthcare services for stroke survivors in developing countries is scarce.

Objective: To identify predictors of access to healthcare services within 1 month of hospital discharge in a developing country (Brazil).

An Equation With Clinical Applicability and Adequate Validity to Predict the Maximum Oxygen Consumption of Individuals Post-stroke.

Objective: To develop an equation with clinical applicability and adequate validity to predict the maximum oxygen consumption (V̇o) of individuals post-stroke.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A university laboratory.