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A pioneering trial supported by power-assisted exercise specialists Innerva has significantly increased rehabilitation opportunities for stroke survivors immediately following a stroke, paving the way for better recovery outcomes.

Facilitated by funding from the EPSRC’s (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) IAA (Impact Accelerator Account), the University of Strathclyde partnered with NHS Lanarkshire to launch the Technology-Enriched Stroke Rehabilitation Hub at the University Hospital in Wishaw to help meet new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

Currently, NHS stroke patients receive an average of just 34 minutes of combined rehabilitation therapy per day - 14 minutes of physiotherapy, 13 minutes of occupational therapy and seven minutes of speech and language therapy. This falls far short of the new NICE guidelines, which recommend three hours of daily therapy, five days a week.

The trial at the rehabilitation hub has almost tripled the daily rehabilitation time for patients, adding an average of 53 minutes of additional therapy, bringing the daily total to 87 minutes.

Dr Gillian Sweeney, an occupational therapist with NHS Lanarkshire and advanced practitioner for stroke rehabilitation, set up the hub and led the development of the trial. She said: “The results of this 10 month pilot are extremely encouraging. Our early findings show that the hub’s group sessions are both safe and effective and patients are receiving substantially more therapy. Patients began accessing the rehabilitation facility within days of experiencing a stroke with some continuing for up to four months until they were discharged.”

Located within the hospital’s stroke unit – the largest in Lanarkshire – the hub offers a range of integrated technology to address the motor, cognitive and communication impairments caused by stroke. This includes a treadmill with specialist harness, a balance trainer, cognitive and VR equipment, as well as Innerva’s power-assisted equipment which supports users to exercise allowing them to work passively or actively, depending on their stage of recovery.

The pilot, which involved 50 participants in their 30s to those in their 90s, has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from patients, their families and NHS staff.

Participants said they benefited from increased physical and mental activity, the opportunity to engage in a different environment off the ward and the chance to connect with others who have had similar experiences.

One of the critical successes of the pilot has been the efficient use of staffing resources. Experienced support staff conducted 86 per cent of the sessions, freeing up physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists to focus on one-on-one care.

“This model has proved to be a cost-effective way to increase the intensity and frequency of stroke rehabilitation. Patients receive a bespoke programme designed by NHS therapy staff and can visit the hub daily for up to two hours at a time, on top of their normal therapy, where they are guided by Band 2 and 4 rehabilitation and nursing support staff. The ability to cater for five to six patients at a time means patients can access the intensive therapy they need to transform their rehabilitation outcomes,” said Dr Sweeney.

Photo (L-R): Leslie (Stroke patient at University Hospital Wishaw), Rachel, Clinical Support Worker, NHS Lanarkshire & Justin (Stroke patient at University Hospital Wishaw/NHS Lanarkshire)

The pilot has sparked widespread interest across the NHS, leading to the creation of a working group aimed at breaking down the barriers to implementing similar models nationwide.

Dr Andy Kerr, Reader in Rehabilitation Engineering at the Department of Biomedical Engineering (University of Strathclyde), led the project. He said: “Our research group has been developing this technology enriched intensive model of rehabilitation for several years and we are delighted it has now been tested with the people that really need it. The outcomes of the pilot are really encouraging and are a testament to working in partnership with the NHS and our industrial partner (Innerva).”

The management at NHS Lanarkshire has committed to continued funding to staff the hub, while additional funding bids are underway to secure its future and expand into further NHS and community sites.

David Heathcote, Head of Business Development, Innerva, said: “We are thrilled to have supported this pioneering project, which could serve as a blueprint for establishing similar rehabilitation hubs in the NHS and community settings across the UK, offering stroke survivors more accessible and effective rehabilitation options.”

To hear from staff and patients involved in the trial, watch our short project video below.

Main Photo (top): Back row (L-R): Georgia Ashton (Head of Business Develpment - Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland), Craig Tobin (Head of External Engagement - Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland), Rachel Stockley (Associate Professor in Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation - University of Central Lanchashire), Caitlin Bradley (Speech & Language Therapist - NHS Lararkshire), Allan Cowie (COO - Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland), Therese Lebidis (Stroke Rehabilitation Lead - National Stroke Improvement Programme); Front (L-R): Dr Andy Kerr, Dr David Heathcote (Head of Business Development - Innerva), Sharon Morrison (Senior Charge Nurse - NHS Lanarkshire), Dr Gillian Sweeney (Occupational Therapy Advanced Practitioner (Stroke) - NHS Lanarkshire).