Are you 18 years or older?

Were you working at the time of your stroke? If so, then researchers from the University of Queensland want to hear from you.

The researchers are currently looking for volunteers to complete an online survey exploring their experience of returning to work after stroke.

We would like to hear from people who:

• have succeeded in returning to work.
• have tried or are trying to return to work.
• or have not returned to work.

If you’re interested, or want more information, please contact Dr Louise Gustafsson: l.gustafsson@uq.edu.au or ph: (07) 3365 2926.

Article from AVERT Newsletter Feb 2012

Reaching milestones is a cause for celebration. There have been so many along the way: becoming an ‘International’ trial; reaching half way (1052 patients); becoming the largest stroke rehabilitation trial ever! We need to celebrate each achievement but keep our sights firmly set on reaching our final number of 2104 and the sooner the better.

The study will then be large enough to get a reliable answer to our trial question; “Does early exercise improve health outcomes for people affected by stroke?” We still need to recruit 995 patients, intervene and follow up each for 12 months to see us to the end. We now have the highest number of recruiting centres (45) ever involved in the trial, another reason to celebrate).

We need between 30 and 40 patients recruited each month to finish in about 2014. One of the remarkable things about this trial is the commitment of the hospital teams who participate. Since our last newsletter, the first hospital to recruit to AVERT, the Austin Hospital, has recruited its 200th patient. This is an amazing effort by the very dedicated team.

Over the last 6 months, AVERT has really expanded internationally. There are now 21 hospitals in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England that have recruited patients to the trial. Thankfully we have had Rosemary Morrison based in Glasgow, dedicated to helping new hospitals get trained and ready to participate in this exciting study.

Being an international study gives us a greater understanding of differences in stroke care in various regions of the world, and our results will apply broadly.

We thank all of our hospital teams for their dedication and commitment to helping find ways of improving outcomes for patients who have suffered a stroke.

More aboout AVERT

ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION
A SERIES OF UPPER LIMB WORKSHOPS

Introductory Session:
Tuesday 8th May, 2012 (12.00-5.00), $110 (inc GST)
Functional Training Session (Advanced):
Tuesday 22nd May, 2012 (12.00-5.00), $110 (inc GST)
Both workshops will be held at The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Prahran, Vic.

Who Should Attend:
The Introductory half-day workshop (May 8): occupational therapists, physiotherapists and AHAs who wish to extend their basic knowledge and experience of using electrical stimulation (ES) in upper limb rehabilitation. The Advanced half-day workshop (May 22): therapists with experience in using ES (including those who have attended the introductory session) and would like to advance their skills and knowledge in using ES during upper limb functional task specific training.

Benefits of Attending:
Workshop participants will increase knowledge and proficiency in using electrical stimulation with neurological rehabilitation clients. There will be both practical and theoretical information to assist participants to increase skills. Efficacy evidence will be presented, along with demonstrations of protocols in daily clinical practice.

About the Presenter:
Dr Natasha Lannin, is an Associate Professor at The Alfred Clinical School, La Trobe University. Dr Lannin is a Master Trainer for Electrical Stimulation in Neurology and regularly conducts workshops with clinicians both in Australia and internationally, integrating her knowledge of best-practice evidence, electrical stimulation and rehabilitation.

Course Content Will Cover:
Introductory Workshop An overview of ES, diagnoses and indicators, legislative requirements, and clinical mandate for ES. Precautions and contraindications of using ES in clinical settings. Overview of therapeutic ES interventions (differences between the types of ES interventions). Evaluation, application, clinical guidelines, clinical outcomes and efficacy of upper limb ES Practical individual and small group work to provide opportunity to develop basic ES skills.

Advanced Workshop Brief review of precautions and contraindications, basic interventions and evaluation process of using ES for functional movement training. Neuroscience: Physiological effects and evidence of FES on neuroplasticity of brain and movement. EMG triggered ES interventions: overview of machines and benefits of different options to clinicians. Maximising benefits, identifying successful strategies, promoting best practices in ES clinical practice. Practical individual and small group work including program planning with clients to achieve outcomes.

To apply click here to download the flyer.

This article is from Synapse Bridge Magazine. It is an article written for Health Professionals, however there are interesting ideas for survivors and carers to take from the article.

Understanding family issues

ABIOS explains some of the common family issues that can arise after brain injury.

ABIOS is a specialist community-based rehabilitation service to enhance the service system for people with ABI (Acquired Brain Injury) and their families.

The first two years after a brain injury are usually busy with the process of recovering, and social activities usually take a back seat to rehabilitation. But in the long run, the loss of friends, employment opportunities and meaningful activities are one of the most difficult ongoing problems.

Brain Injury can have a significant impact on an individual, but it can also result in changes for all members of a person’s family and community. For family members in a close relationship with the person with the brain injury, there can be a range of changes in roles and responsibilities, and involvement in a person’s life that we need to understand to work effectively with them and with the person with ABI.

Impact of brain injury on the family
It is important to understand that families have had little opportunity to prepare for a brain injury. Some families have good skills in coping with a major trauma or illness, some families may not have acquired those skills. No one finds it easy to adapt and to cope with all the changes in their lives that a brain injury may bring. Families themselves may need counseling to assist them in coping with the major challenges that they have in front of them.

Uncertainty about the future for themselves or their family member may be an issue, particularly early on after an injury. There may be quite dramatic changes in finances, employment, driving, community involvement or relationships with others, A future that was certain or predictable may no longer be that way.

Changes in roles

There may be changes in roles in the family as the person with the ABI is unable to continue in their previous roles or responsibilities.

Family members may have extra responsibility for work, transport, managing finances, managing family decision making, and for providing emotional or practical care.

Burden of care

Burden of care for family can increase over time. As the person recovers from the initial injury, and support from extended family, friends, workmates, and community diminishes or decreases, family members may find their burden of care or work increasing steadily.

Competing demands

Family members can have a range of competing demands and needs, both for their time, energy involvement and participation. Caring for someone with an ABI may mean that a family member has less time for other relationships within the family or with friends.

Partners, spouses and children may sometimes feel left out, neglected, or excluded from decision making. This can sometimes lead to competition and conflict.

Relationships with others in the family and with friends can be damaged or lost as a result of difficulty in responding to everyone’s needs.

They may find they do not get time for their own interest, recreation or relationships, and don’t pay enough attention to their own psychological or physical health. They may not take time out from being a carer or have rest and relaxation and to renew their own energy.

Isolation over time

As time goes on following an injury, after months and years have passed, family can find they have become increasingly socially isolated and alone. Demands to provide care and support can take up so much time, they may lack the time, energy and recourses to maintain their own family, social and community networks, As a result families may have less emotional or practical support over time.

Grief and loss

Families may have ongoing issues with grief, loss and adjustment to changes associated with ABI. Families experience the losses for the person with the ABI (loss of hopes, dreams, ambitions and ability to be independent) but also their own losses (of friendship, loss of sexual relationship, loss of financial security, loss of family, loss of time alone). They may experience sadness, anger, confusion anxiety and depression.

Family relationships & dynamics

It is important to be sensitive to existing family structures and relationships in working with the whole family. Individuals with ABI and their family may have lost some of their sense of independence, autonomy and their personal privacy, as they become involved with the medical or hospital system, sometimes for the first time. For many, communicating and negotiating with professionals in services is a new thing, and may be something they were not prepared for.

Family may be wary or reluctant to disclose information, to be involved, or to commit their energy and time to people making demands or providing community based services.

Family may have a range of experiences (negative and positive) with medical, health or community services that present barriers to new working relationships.

Building a good working relationship, working on communications and building trust are key areas to consider in working successfully with families.

Carer fatigue

Family members may sometimes be overwhelmed and exhausted by the emotional and physical demands of providing long-term care to a person with ABI. This is particularly the case where one or a few family members take the responsibility of care over a number of years.

Placing demands on family to provide care, to implement strategies or to work towards new goals, can sometimes present a huge challenge or demand that is hard for the family to meet.

Family can seem to be difficult, critical or unsupportive of new ideas or plans but they may not have the energy to do more than they are already doing. It is important to take into consideration the capacity of each family to take on new ideas and tasks.

Protectiveness

Family members can sometimes be more protective of the person with ABI following a severe injury. Particularly in cases of sudden injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or a stroke, where a person was severely injured, or close to death, they may be reluctant to risk further injury or have harm come to their family member.

Families can sometimes be cautious, wary of new ideas, and worried regarding the consequences of small changes and what might happen in the future.

Meet Tamsin, who answers your calls on StrokeLine 1800 787 653. StrokeLine is the National Stroke Foundation’s phone support for stroke survivors, carers and health Professionals.

How long have you been on StrokeLine?
For aprox 8 months.

What is your professional background?
I have a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Diploma in Neurosciences.  I have a variety of experience working in acute hospitals, rehabilitation, regional and metropolitan areas - including stroke care units.

What sorts of questions do you get on StrokeLine?
We get a variety of questions around prevention of stroke, stroke signs and symptoms, treatment of stroke, rehabilitation and recovery, services and supports.

Around 30 per cent of calls relate to prevention – questions about blood pressure, risk factors for stroke, signs of stroke, such as:
“‘do you have to have all the FAST signs of stroke for it to be a stroke?”.

Aprox 20-30 per cent of calls relate to treatment when in hospital:
“I attended Emergency and they sent me home once my symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack had resolved, they gave me a letter for my GP to get an Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and carotid Doppler (ultrasound to test blood flow of arteries in the neck) – how urgent is it that I have these tests?”
“we are having a family meeting on Friday to talk about Dad’s discharge plan, what will be discussed?”

Aprox 50-60 of calls relate to recovery, such as:
“is there a stroke support group near me?”
“how do I find a physiotherapist?”
“my mum isn’t coping and dad is crying all the time. What can I do?”

How does it feel when you help people through StrokeLine?
It is very rewarding to try and help people navigate the medical and health system which can be very overwhelming.

Most memorable moment?
Tough question!  There are so many calls each day.  I do like it when people call back to thank me!  There are many sad and happy calls I find it hard to pick one.

The FAST test identifies up to 89% of strokes and TIA’s and is an easy way to recognise and remember the key signs of stroke, and what to do when they occur.

Using the FAST test involves asking three simple questions:

Face - Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms - Can they lift both arms?
Speech - Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time - Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

We are  advertising the FAST message in March, June and October this year, if you would like to help support our efforts, you can hold your own FAST avtivity to help to spread the FAST messsage.

Simply order a  FAST activity pack, the pack contains posters, balloons, wallet cards and flyers to help you.

If you would like to participate in other ways or have any queries, please contact Jasmine Sison at jsison@strokefoundation.com.au or 03 9670 1000.

Note: You can order FAST activity packs all year round.