Awareness and Use of Stroke Rehabilitation Interventions in Clinical Practice Among Physiotherapists

Abstract

Purpose: This study collected data about the current awareness and use of stroke rehabilitation interventions among a Canadian sample of PTs as a foundational step towards future endeavours to inform the translation of rehabilitation research literature into practice. Method: Participants were recruited from health care centres providing stroke rehabilitation to patients in each of the 10 provinces across Canada. Physiotherapists who provided direct rehabilitative care to individuals after a stroke, were 18+ years old, and could read and write in English completed an electronic survey. Questions asked about therapists’ work setting, patient demographics, how they stay up-to-date, and their awareness and use of stroke rehabilitation interventions. Results: One hundred seventy five individuals (female = 82.9%) mainly from Ontario and Alberta (57.7%) were included. Therapists had high awareness and use of non-technological, peripherally-applied interventions (e.g., task-specific training, trunk training, overground walking). Except for mirror therapy and bilateral arm training, therapists had low or no awareness and use of brain priming interventions with or without a technological component. Conclusions: Therapists had low awareness and use of interventions which fall outside of standard education and training. This is an important area for future research on initiatives to increase knowledge translation and implementation into clinical practice.