Post-stroke lateropulsion in Australia and New Zealand: A survey investigating current knowledge, priorities and practice
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Post-stroke lateropulsion is prevalent and associated with poor rehabilitation outcomes, but evidence to guide rehabilitation of affected stroke survivors is limited. Current post-stroke lateropulsion rehabilitation practice across Australia and New Zealand has not been previously described. Objectives: This study aimed to describe lateropulsion rehabilitation practice in Australia and New Zealand, determine clinicians,’ educators’ and researchers’ opinions about the need for educational resources to guide best-practice, and to identify current barriers to, and enablers of, optimal rehabilitation delivery. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was distributed to stroke rehabilitation clinicians, educators and researchers across Australia and New Zealand using Qualtrics. Data were described using frequency distributions and Chi-squared tests. Responses to open-ended questions were summarized for reporting. Results: The final analyses included 127 surveys. Most participants (93%) were physiotherapists. The importance of identifying and assessing post-stroke lateropulsion was noted by 97.6% of participants; however routine lateropulsion assessment was reported by only 60.6% of respondents. About 93.6% of participants indicated that lateropulsion should be targeted as a rehabilitation priority. Limitations in knowledge and skill among clinicians and insufficient evidence to guide rehabilitation were noted as barriers to best-practice rehabilitation delivery. Most respondents (95.2%) indicated that lateropulsion management should be included in stroke rehabilitation guidelines. Conclusions: A sample of clinicians, educators, and researchers involved in stroke rehabilitation across Australia and New Zealand have indicated that lateropulsion should be targeted as a rehabilitation priority. Knowledge and skill were identified as barriers to best-practice rehabilitation implementation, which could be improved by addressing lateropulsion in clinical practice guidelines.
DOI
10.1080/10749357.2024.2392449
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Nolan, J., Jacques, A., & Singer, B. (2024). Post-stroke lateropulsion in Australia and New Zealand: A survey investigating current knowledge, priorities and practice. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2024.2392449