A new international stroke rehabilitation trial has launched today at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW).
The AVERT DOSE trial aims to identify what the best practice is to reduce post-stroke disability, and in view of this, four evidence-based mobility therapies will be delivered by nurses and physiotherapists to NHS patients, in the first dew after their stroke.
The trial is said to have a “novel” and “adaptive design”, as the first patient outcomes will further inform researchers on what is working the most – ultimately allowing them to direct future patients into the more promising treatment options.
Over 2,500 patients will be recruited from more than 50 hospitals spanning the entire globe, including countries like Australia, Ireland, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Catherine Mandri, MTW Acting Neuro-physiotherapy Clinical Specialist team lead, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to recruit our first two patients into the AVERT DOSE trial, which will shape the future of stroke guidelines and help ensure the best possible outcomes for our stroke patients.
“We are working closely with colleagues in our Research Team to upskill and train staff and will continue to identify further participants for the trial over coming months.”
Claire Morris, MTW In-patient Physiotherapy Clinical Manager, added: “I would like to thank Catherine and her team for their hard work and tenacity in driving this project forward. It is the first stroke physiotherapy led research trial for MTW and will undoubtedly result in key learnings to improve patient care and outcomes.”
The trial has been developed by Professor Julie Bernhardt of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Australia, who are world-leaders in early mobility research following strokes.
Professor Bernhardt said: “We know that exercise and rehabilitation interventions post-stroke can make a big difference to a person’s outcome. This trial will help us to determine the most effective and safe regimen in patients with both mild and moderate stroke severity in the early stages after their stroke.
“We’re so pleased to have MTW as a partner in this project, which we expect will inform protocols for rehabilitation for stroke internationally.”
More information about the trial is available here.
