DP-WAVES Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Developing a programme for wrist worn accelerometers with vibrating-alert to prompt exercises after stroke.

  • IRAS ID

    172034

  • Contact name

    Chris Price

  • Contact email

    c.i.m.price@newcastle.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 7 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Loss of arm function affects up to 85% of patients with stroke and is reported to be one of the most distressing long term consequences. Recovery can be optimised through frequent repetition of task orientated movements (e.g. simulating face washing) and self-supervised structured therapy programmes have been developed to promote functional improvement by daily practice of specific actions. Remembering to frequently perform repetitive movements and integrate the impaired limb into daily activities is a challenge, particularly for patients with perceptual difficulties who may unintentionally ignore their affected arm. We will invite 12 patients with a recent stroke causing problems with arm movement to assist in the development of a rehabilitation programme which uses a wrist-worn movement detector (accelerometer) with an integrated vibrating-alert to a) constantly sense impaired limb movement, b)gently vibrate to prompt more limb use if activity falls below a personalised threshold and c) provide patients and therapists with an objective report of movements. Patients will participate in a 4 week long rehabilitation programme whilst wearing the device (the "CueS wristband"), complete a daily log of exercises to describe their scheduled and prompted activities, perform simple measures of arm function either end of the programme and contribute towards an individual semi-structure interview to describe their views of the programme and wristband. This will be in addition to any NHS therapy and under the supervision of a study therapist who will review the programme twice weekly.

  • REC name

    North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/NE/0112

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Apr 2015

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion