| 31. |
- Månsson, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Older adults' preferences for, adherence to and experiences of two self-management falls prevention home exercise programmes : a comparison between a digital programme and a paper booklet
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMC Geriatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2318. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Fall prevention exercise programmes are known to be effective, but access to these programmes is not always possible. The use of eHealth solutions might be a way forward to increase access and reach a wider population. In this feasibility study the aim was to explore the choice of programme, adherence, and self-reported experiences comparing two exercise programmes – a digital programme and a paper booklet.Methods: A participant preference trial of two self-managed fall prevention exercise interventions. Community-dwelling adults aged 70 years and older exercised independently for four months after one introduction meeting. Baseline information was collected at study start, including a short introduction of the exercise programme, a short physical assessment, and completion of questionnaires. During the four months intervention period, participants self-reported their performed exercises in an exercise diary. At a final meeting, questionnaires about their experiences, and post-assessments, were completed. For adherence analyses data from diaries were used and four subgroups for different levels of participation were compared. Exercise maintenance was followed up with a survey 12 months after study start.Results: Sixty-seven participants, with mean age 77 ± 4 years were included, 72% were women. Forty-three percent chose the digital programme. Attrition rate was 17% in the digital programme group and 37% in the paper booklet group (p = .078). In both groups 50–59% reported exercise at least 75% of the intervention period. The only significant difference for adherence was in the subgroup that completed ≥75% of exercise duration, the digital programme users exercised more minutes per week (p = .001). Participants in both groups were content with their programme but digital programme users reported a significantly higher (p = .026) degree of being content, and feeling supported by the programme (p = .044). At 12 months follow-up 67% of participants using the digital programme continued to exercise regularly compared with 35% for the paper booklet (p = .036).Conclusions: Exercise interventions based on either a digital programme or a paper booklet can be used as a self-managed, independent fall prevention programme. There is a similar adherence in both programmes during a 4-month intervention, but the digital programme seems to facilitate long-term maintenance in regular exercise.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Nedergård, Heidi, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of robotic-assisted gait training on objective biomechanical measures of gait in persons post-stroke : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1743-0003. ; 18:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Robotic-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) may enable high-intensive and task-specific gait training post-stroke. The effect of RAGT on gait movement patterns has however not been comprehensively reviewed. The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence for potentially superior effects of RAGT on biomechanical measures of gait post-stroke when compared with non-robotic gait training alone.Methods: Nine databases were searched using database-specific search terms from their inception until January 2021. We included randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of RAGT (e.g., using exoskeletons or end-effectors) on spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters among adults suffering from any stage of stroke. Screening, data extraction and judgement of risk of bias (using the Cochrane Risk of bias 2 tool) were performed by 2–3 independent reviewers. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used to evaluate the certainty of evidence for the biomechanical gait measures of interest.Results: Thirteen studies including a total of 412 individuals (mean age: 52–69 years; 264 males) met eligibility criteria and were included. RAGT was employed either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies in a subacute or chronic phase post-stroke. The included studies showed a high risk of bias (n = 6), some concerns (n = 6) or a low risk of bias (n = 1). Meta-analyses using a random-effects model for gait speed, cadence, step length (non-affected side) and spatial asymmetry revealed no significant differences between the RAGT and comparator groups, while stride length (mean difference [MD] 2.86 cm), step length (affected side; MD 2.67 cm) and temporal asymmetry calculated in ratio-values (MD 0.09) improved slightly more in the RAGT groups. There were serious weaknesses with almost all GRADE domains (risk of bias, consistency, directness, or precision of the findings) for the included outcome measures (spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters). Kinetic parameters were not reported at all.Conclusion: There were few relevant studies and the review synthesis revealed a very low certainty in current evidence for employing RAGT to improve gait biomechanics post-stroke. Further high-quality, robust clinical trials on RAGT that complement clinical data with biomechanical data are thus warranted to disentangle the potential effects of such interventions on gait biomechanics post-stroke.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
- Nedergård, Heidi, 1978-
(författare)
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“Taking the next step” : whole-body biomechanical gait analysis, and user-perspectives on robotic-assisted gait training post-stroke
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Stroke, and its subsequent motor function impairments may result in limited gait ability characterised by compensatory movement patterns that include deviations and asymmetries. How these movement patterns should be evaluated and quantified in order to be monitored and treated in the long term is not yet standardised. Limitations in walking quality and quantity negatively affect quality of life and lead to great costs for society if independence is lost. Improved walking ability is hence highly prioritised in stroke rehabilitation. Gait-assisting robots have been developed to enable favourable controlled, high-intensive and task-specific training. Studies evaluating the effects of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) have, however, shown inconsistent results. Identifying responders to treatment may facilitate further development of RAGT to improve outcomes. This requires in-depth knowledge of how specific gait movement patterns should best be identified, quantified and treated in rehabilitation. There is also a need for greater insight into how individuals experience gait training in general, and RAGT in particular, as this will likely affect the performance and outcomes of training.Aim: This thesis aims to contribute to the discussion on how to quantify gait movement patterns post-stroke from a whole-body perspective. It will also evaluate the effects of RAGT on biomechanical measures of gait and explore the experience of high-intensive and robotic-assisted gait training in persons with impaired walking ability due to stroke.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis consolidated the evidence for the effects of RAGT on biomechanical measures of gait in persons post-stroke. Two descriptive, cross-sectional studies based on kinematic gait data (31 persons post-stroke and 41 non-disabled controls) investigated potential variables to quantify post-stroke gait. The size and angular velocity of the inclination angles between the Centre of Mass (CoM) and the ankle or head, respectively, was investigated with curve analyses covering the entire gait cycle. Furthermore, misclassification rates were calculated based on leave-one-out cross-validation and logistic regression to address the combinations of kinematic variables that most correctly classify a person post-stroke when compared to controls. Finally, individual interviews were performed and analysed using qualitative content analysis to explore the experiences of high-intensive gait training, including RAGT, among persons post-stroke.Results: The systematic review included 13 studies with a total of 412 individuals. The meta-analyses did generally not reveal significant differences between RAGT and comparator groups for biomechanical parameters. Risk of bias assessments raised concerns for several of the studies and the general quality of evidence for these outcomes was very low. An important finding was an inconsistency of biomechanical outcome measures. Data from the primary cross-sectional studies included in this thesis indicated a bilateral lower body adaptation likely to increase the base of support and an upper body leaning towards the affected side during walking in persons post-stroke. Furthermore, core sets of 2-3 kinematic gait variables were identified from both the upper and lower body that, when combined, were most likely to differentiate post-stroke gait from gait in non-disabled controls. Finally, qualitative analysis of participants’ perspectives on high-intensive gait training including RAGT revealed four categories which described: 1) A generally positive mindset when starting the gait training intervention; 2) That engaging in a high-intensive gait training programme was appreciated although experienced as mentally and physically exhausting. The role of the physiotherapist was perceived as crucial; 3) Potential barriers during RAGT, such as discomfort and lost control during walking with the robot, but also facilitators like concrete feedback and the possibility to walk longer distances, and; 4) The participants’ feelings of confidence or concern for the future. Conclusions: The systematic review demonstrated a very low certainty in current evidence for employing RAGT instead of non-robotic gait training to improve gait biomechanics post-stroke. In addition, it emphasized the lack of standardised guidelines as to which outcome measures most sufficiently quantify gait post-stroke. The cross-sectional studies included in this thesis, presenting upper and lower body kinematic variables to differentiate gait patterns between individuals with stroke and those without, highlight the advantages of adopting a whole-body perspective when evaluating gait post-stroke. Finally, interviews identified valuable aspects from the user’s perspective that should be considered during further development of RAGT devices and the design of high-intensive gait rehabilitation programmes post-stroke.
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| 36. |
- Nedergård, Heidi, et al.
(författare)
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Users' experiences of intensive robotic-assisted gait training post-stroke : "a push forward or feeling pushed around?"
- 2023
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 45:23, s. 3861-3868
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) is suggested to improve walking ability after stroke. The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of robotic-assisted gait training as part of a gait training intervention among persons in the chronic phase after stroke.Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were performed with 13 participants after a 6-week intervention including treadmill gait training with the Hybrid Assistive Limb® (HAL) exoskeleton. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Four categories emerged: (1) A rare opportunity for potential improvements describes the mindset before the start of the intervention; (2) Being pushed to the limit represents the experience of engaging in intensive gait training; (3) Walking with both resistance and constraints reveals barriers and facilitators during HAL training; (4) Reaching the end and taking the next step alone illustrates feelings of confidence or concern as the intervention ended.Conclusions: The gait training intervention including RAGT was considered demanding but appreciated. Support and concrete, individual feedback was crucial for motivation, whilst the lack of variation was a barrier. Results encourage further development of exoskeletons that are comfortable to wear and stimulate active participation by enabling smoothly synchronised movements performed during task-specific activities in different environments.
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
- Pettersson, Beatrice, et al.
(författare)
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Effectiveness of a self-managed digital exercise programme to prevent falls in older community-dwelling adults : study protocol for the Safe Step randomised controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 10:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Exercise interventions have a strong evidence base for falls prevention. However, exercise can be challenging to implement and often has limited reach and poor adherence. Digital technology provides opportunities for both increased access to the intervention and support over time. Further knowledge needs to be gained regarding the effectiveness of completely self-managed digital exercise interventions. The main objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a self-managed digital exercise programme, Safe Step, in combination with monthly educational videos with educational videos alone, on falls over 1 year in older community-dwelling adults.Methods and analysis: A two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial will be conducted with at least 1400 community-living older adults (70+ years) who experience impaired balance. Participants will be recruited throughout Sweden with enrolment through the project website. They will be randomly allocated to either the Safe Step exercise programme with additional monthly educational videos about healthy ageing and fall prevention, or the monthly education videos alone. Participants receiving the exercise intervention will be asked to exercise at home for at least 30 min, 3 times/week with support of the Safe Step application. The primary outcome will be rate of falls (fall per person year). Participants will keep a fall calendar and report falls at the end of each month through a digital questionnaire. Further assessments of secondary outcomes will be made through self-reported questionnaires and a self-test of 30 s chair stand test at baseline and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after study start. Data will be analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained by The Regional Ethical Review Board in Umeå (Dnr 2018/433-31). Findings will be disseminated through the project web-site, peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences and through senior citizen organisations’ newsletters.Trial registration number: NCT03963570.
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| 39. |
- Pettersson, Beatrice, 1987-
(författare)
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Fall prevention exercise for older adults : self-management with support of digital technology
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Falls are a major public health issue, which can cause physical and psychological suffering for the individual as well as large costs for the society. To increase access and adherence to evidence-based fall prevention exercise, utilisation of older adults’ own capabilities and digital health offers promising solutions. The aim of this thesis was to explore a digital programme as support for self-management of fall preventive exercises in community-dwelling older adults with a focus on participant experiences, behaviour change, and intervention reach.Methods: This thesis comprises four papers, of which Papers I and II report from a feasibility study comparing two self-managed fall prevention exercise programmes, a paper booklet and the digital Safe Step programme. Papers III and IV describes a randomised controlled trial, which evaluates the effectiveness of the Safe Step programme in combination with educational videos, to reduce falls in comparison with educational videos alone. In Paper I, individual interviews were analysed with inductive qualitative content analysis to explore older adults’ experiences of self-managing their fall prevention exercise. In Paper II, a deductive and inductive approach was utilised for the analysis of comments in questionnaires, individual, and focus group interviews to explore experiences of self-determination when using the Safe Step programme. The classification system of motivational and behaviour change strategies based on Self-determination theory was utilised as a categorisation matrix. An additional analysis of behavioural regulation for exercise according to the Self-determination theory was performed in this thesis. Paper III is a protocol for a randomised controlled trial, and Paper IV describes the recruitment strategies, and reach of this trial through comparison with another representative sample of adults 70 years or older by descriptive statistics.Results: Results from Papers I and II show that the older adults appreciated the autonomy of a self-managed exercise programme. They expressed a capability to independently select exercises and manage their progression with support from the programme. However, some wanted the support of others in their training. The behaviour change support in the Safe Step programme was voiced as motivating and supportive, and the diversity of behaviour change strategies was emphasized as important to suit many older adults’ preferences. In Paper II, the behaviour change support were found supportive for the basic human psychological needs according to the Self-determination theory, although, support for autonomy and competence were more clearly stated than for relatedness. An additional category was formed and proposed as an amendment to the classification system used as an analytical matrix. In the thesis, expressions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for doing the exercise from participants in Paper I were triangulated with results from the Behavioural Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2. The results confirmed the trend found in the qualitative analysis of more intrinsically motivated expressions in the group using the Safe Step programme. A study protocol was written that described the design of the Safe Step randomised controlled trial, including the aims, methodology and overall organisation of the research (Paper III). In Paper IV, the most successful recruitment strategy to the randomised controlled trial was identified as advertisement in social media. The recruited participants were predominantly women, highly educated, and frequently used applications or internet on mobile devices.Conclusion: Finding of this thesis support implementation of fall prevention strategies through increased utilisation of older adults' self-management capabilities. Older adults’ experiences of exercising with a self-managed digital exercise program can be understood as managing pieces of a personal puzzle and was shaped more by the sum of the features and behaviour change support in the programme than by parts of the programme. The Safe step programme seems to provide support for more self-determined exercise motivation, than a paper booklet, which can support maintenance of the new exercise routines. The older adults’ experiences, as well as the characteristics of the participants reached, highlight the necessity for a variety of fall prevention strategies that reflect the diversified needs and preferences of older adults.
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| 40. |
- Pettersson, Beatrice, et al.
(författare)
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'Maintaining balance in life'—exploring older adults' long-term engagement in self-managed digital fall prevention exercise
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1813-7253 .- 1861-6909. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Accidental falls are one of the greatest threats to older adults’ health and well-being. The risk of falling can be significantly reduced with strength and balance interventions. However, there needs to be further knowledge into how older adults can be supported to achieve a maintained exercise behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore factors that enabled older adults to maintain their exercise during a 1-year self-managed digital fall prevention exercise intervention.Methods: This study used a grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted by phone or conference call. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults aged 70 years or more participated. The participants had a self-reported exercise dose of 60 min or more per week during the last three months of participation in a 12-months intervention of self-managed digital fall prevention exercise, the Safe Step randomized controlled trial. Open, axial, and selective coding, along with constant comparative analysis, was used to analyze the data.Results: The analysis resulted in a theoretical model. We found that the fall prevention exercise habits of adults were developed through three stages: Acting against threats to one’s own identity, Coordinating strategies to establish a routine, and Forming habits through cues and evaluation. The main category of Maintaining balance in life encases the participants transition through the three stages and reflects balance in both physical aspects and in between activities in daily life. The process of maintaining balance in life and desire to do so were mediated both by intrinsic person-dependent factors and the Safe Step application acting as an external mediator.Conclusion: This study identified three stages of how older adults developed self-managed fall prevention exercise habits, supported by a digital application. The generated theoretical model can inform future interventions aiming to support long-term engagement in digitally supported and self-managed fall prevention interventions.
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