I was 25 and had a stroke: Why rehabilitation research is important

Why stroke rehabilitation is important.

It is estimated that about 15,000 people in Scotland have a stroke each year (Scottish Stroke Care Audit, 2022). It might be surprising to know that out of that 15,000, one in four strokes happen to someone of working age or younger (About Different Strokes | UK Stroke Charity). Organisations such as Different Strokes work to break the perception that experience of stroke is confined to older individuals.

One evening in April 2021 while outside exercising, I had a stroke. My carotid artery had torn open, a blood clot had formed and travelled to my brain. This is what is referred to as stroke by carotid dissection. It is the most common cause of stroke in young adults, but it is simultaneously the least understood. After receiving thrombolysis in hospital, I embarked on an intensive six-month journey working with a team of physiotherapists and a speech and language therapist to re-learn how to speak, read, write, and walk.

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, your brain cells can be damaged or die (NHS Scotland Stroke). For many, coping with the physical, cognitive and psychological changes following a stroke is extremely difficult. People can encounter a wide range of complications. Some temporary and some permanent. Depending on which part of the brain is deprived of oxygen, the effects of stroke can range from weakness in the effected side, paralysis in the effected side, sight loss, fatigue and aphasia. Aphasia results when the part of the brain affected by a stroke, is the portion of the brain that is responsible for language. As a result, immediately following the stroke individuals may need to re-learn how to speak, and the lasting effects of aphasia make speaking, reading and writing difficult.

In early June of 2022, almost one year post stroke, I took part in some research at the University of Strathclyde. The multidisciplinary research team at the Sir Jules Thorn Centre for Co-Creation of Rehabilitative technology, are dedicated to improving the implementation of stroke rehabilitation. An introductory video of the centre can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nipuLieQ-EY.

Rehabilitative therapy is extremely important for stroke survivors. Psychological and cognitive changes such as aphasia that impact understanding and speech, can severely impact on confidence levels. Physical changes such as weakness, loss of coordination and changes in sensation can reduce independence and make performing every-day tasks difficult. The research team at the centre, work closely with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, and are dedicated to improving the rehabilitative journey for stroke survivors.

There are programmes currently available that look at improving the recovery process. Over an eight-week period, participants attend the centre at an allocated time, to engage with a technology-enabled programme, structured to address their individual rehabilitation goals. This study aims to look at the possibility of using existing (and new) technologies and determines how acceptable, and effective they are, as part of a programme. This is done by tracking the performance of the participant and by gathering their thoughts and feelings on the effect of the programme. The centre also hosts several other studies that are aimed at improving rehabilitation and recovery.

A ‘movement sonification’ study, led by Thomas Nown, looks to improve arm movements for those with a weakened arm following stroke. A camera tracks the position of the participant’s arm during movement. The movement is then transformed into a sound and played though speakers in real-time. This provides an experience where movements can be heard as they are performed, in the hope of aiding rehabilitation.

A ‘mirror therapy’ study is also available, led by Lesley-Anne Rollins. This is used to investigate whether looking in the mirror, and performing actions with the non-affected arm, improves co-ordination in the affected arm.

If you have been affected by stroke, you can register your interest in the eight-week programme study through https://forms.office.com/r/9muWuCCeeJ or by contacting Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. For the movement sonification study email thomas.nown@strath.ac.uk to register your interest; and for the mirror therapy study you can email lesleyanne.rollins@strath.ac.uk .

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