Community-based rehabilitation training after stroke: results of a pilot randomised controlled trial (ReTrain) investigating acceptability and feasibility

Sarah G. Dean, Leon Poltawski, Anne Forster, Rod S. Taylor, Anne Spencer, Martin James, Rhoda Allison, Shirley Stevens, Meriel Norris, Ant Shepherd, Paolo Landa, Richard M. Pulsford, Laura Hollands, Raff Calitri

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    173 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Objectives: To assess acceptability and feasibility of trial processes and the ReTrain intervention including an assessment of intervention fidelity.

    Design: A two-group, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial with parallel mixed methods process and economic evaluations.

    Setting: Community settings across two sites in Devon.

    Participants: Eligible participants were: 18 years old or over, with a diagnosis of stroke and with self-reported mobility issues, no contraindications to physical activity, discharged from National Health Service (NHS) or any other formal rehabilitation programme at least 1 month prior, willing to be randomised to either control or ReTrain and attend the training venue, possessing cognitive capacity and communication ability sufficient to participate. Participants were individually randomised (1:1) via a computer generated randomisation sequence minimised for time since stroke and level of functional disability. Only outcome assessors independent of the research team were blinded to group allocation.

    Interventions: ReTrain comprised (1) an introductory one-to-one session; (2) ten, twice weekly group classes with up to two trainers and eight clients; (3) a closing one-to-one session, followed by three drop-in sessions over the subsequent three months. Participants received a bespoke home-based training programme. All participants received treatment as usual. The control group received an exercise after stroke advice booklet.

    Outcome measures: Candidate primary outcomes included functional mobility and physical activity.

    Results: Forty-five participants were randomised (ReTrain=23; Control=22); data were available from 40 participants at six months follow-up (ReTrain=21; Control=19) and 41 at nine months follow-up (ReTrain=21; Control=20). We demonstrated ability to recruit and retain participants. Participants were not burdened by the requirements of the study. We were able to calculate sample estimates for candidate primary outcomes and test procedures for process and health economic evaluations.

    Conclusions: All objectives were fulfilled and indicated that a definitive trial of ReTrain is feasible and acceptable.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalBMJ Open
    Early online date15 Feb 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusEarly online - 15 Feb 2018

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Community-based rehabilitation training after stroke: results of a pilot randomised controlled trial (ReTrain) investigating acceptability and feasibility'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this