Opportunity for those living in or around the Winchester area:
About the study
There are more than 1.2 million people in the United Kingdom living with the effect of having a stroke. Physiotherapy is an important part of the recovery process for many stroke survivors. In recent years, technology has been included in rehabilitation programmes to help people living with a stroke recover from their condition.
This study will be investigating whether a leg-based device called the GMOVE Suit can improve the health of people living with stroke. The GMOVE suit is a device that aims to increase stability, muscle activity and mobility by providing a squeezing action on the leg muscles during physical activity. The GMOVE Suit is portable and can be used in a home-based rehabilitation environment.
The purpose of this study is to see whether regular, daily access to the GMOVE Suit can improve the health (e.g., blood pressure), activities of daily living (walking speed, walking endurance), balance and general quality of life in people living with stroke.
Inclusion criteria (those who can take part)
- Patients with clinical diagnosis of stroke (within 3 months and 7 years of diagnosis)
- Community patients that are medically stable
- Individuals who are able to stand and step (at least 10m) with (or without) an aid or assistance
- Cognitively aware of task demands
Exclusion criteria (those who cannot take part)
- Unresolved deep vein thrombosis
- Unstable cardiovascular conditions
- Open wounds
- Active drug resistant infection
- Recent fractures of involved limb
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Severe osteoporosis
- Non weight bearing
- Diabetes
*Please note: Assessments take place in Winchester, Hampshire. People living within 1 hour commute of Winchester are more likely to be recruited to the study.
What will participants have to do?
Participants will need to attend a baseline assessment at the University of Winchester to assess vascular health and various walking parameters.
Participants will also need to attend Hobbs rehabilitation to undertake some physio-specific measures (balance/strength etc.).
Participants randomised to the pressotherapy group will have access to the GMOVE Suit at home where they can use it daily for the duration of the 12 week intervention. These participants will have weekly online meetings (15-30mins) with a physiotherapist to ensure the settings of the GMOVE Suit is suitable for the participant.
On completion of the programme, identical assessments as those reported at the start will be carried out.
Participants will be reimbursed.
Contact for enquiries and to take part
Email James to arrange an initial conversation/visit -
James Faulkner, Professor in Exercise Physiology, Principal Investigator, University of Winchester
James.Faulkner@winchester.ac.uk