Stroke bootcamp outcomes better than standard treatments: study

The University of South Australia’s innovative take on the stereotypical idea of bootcamp is delivering great results for people recovering from stroke.

Initial results from the five-week ‘stroke bootcamp’ have been said to show three times better outcomes compared to standard treatments.

Supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group, the stroke recovery clinic is led by UniSA physiotherapy students (under the guidance of practitioners) for people needing ongoing rehabilitation in their arms and hands following a stroke.

Physiotherapist and UniSA researcher Dr Brenton Hordacre said preliminary data and patient results show that the program is highly effective.

“After a stroke, many patients cannot move their bodies in the same way they used to. And practically, this might mean they can no longer grasp a coffee mug or bring a fork to their mouth during mealtimes,” Hordacre said.

“Our program focused on helping people regain these fundamental movements, so they get back some sense of normalcy, independence and a higher quality of life.

“Our initial results show that improvements to patients’ upper limb function are almost three times the clinically meaningful change score we use to measure arm recovery,” Hordacre said.

“We’re also finding that patients are really enjoying the intensive rehab — and want to do more.

“Going into the program, we also thought there was a risk that patients would not enjoy it, because the rehab was too challenging or intense. However, what we’ve found is that patients really enjoy the program, and the results they’re seeing, and don’t want to leave,” Hordacre said.

Image caption: iStockphoto.com/alvarez