Predicting Recovery Potential for Individual Stroke Patients Increases Rehabilitation Efficiency.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several clinical measures and biomarkers are associated with motor recovery after stroke, but none are used to guide rehabilitation for individual patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of upper limb predictions in stroke rehabilitation, by combining clinical measures and biomarkers using the Predict Recovery Potential (PREP) algorithm.

METHODS

Predictions were provided for patients in the implementation group (n=110) and withheld from the comparison group (n=82). Predictions guided rehabilitation therapy focus for patients in the implementation group. The effects of predictive information on clinical practice (length of stay, therapist confidence, therapy content, and dose) were evaluated. Clinical outcomes (upper limb function, impairment and use, independence, and quality of life) were measured 3 and 6 months poststroke. The primary clinical practice outcome was inpatient length of stay. The primary clinical outcome was Action Research Arm Test score 3 months poststroke.

RESULTS

Length of stay was 1 week shorter for the implementation group (11 days; 95% confidence interval, 9-13 days) than the comparison group (17 days; 95% confidence interval, 14-21 days; =0.001), controlling for upper limb impairment, age, sex, and comorbidities. Therapists were more confident (=0.004) and modified therapy content according to predictions for the implementation group (<0.05). The algorithm correctly predicted the primary clinical outcome for 80% of patients in both groups. There were no adverse effects of algorithm implementation on patient outcomes at 3 or 6 months poststroke.

CONCLUSIONS

PREP algorithm predictions modify therapy content and increase rehabilitation efficiency after stroke without compromising clinical outcome.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://anzctr.org.au. Unique identifier: ACTRN12611000755932.