An international stroke rehabilitation trial has launched 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 four evidence-based mobility therapies will be delivered by nurses and physiotherapists to NHS patients.
Over 2,500 patients will be recruited from more than 50 hospitals internationally from countries such as Australia, Ireland, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.
“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,” says Catherine Mandri, MTW acting neuro-physiotherapy clinical specialist team lead.
“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, adds that: “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 has emphasised that the trial will help the team determine the most effective and safe regimen in patients with both mild and moderate stroke severity in the early stages.
As more people survive stroke there is a greater need for rehabilitation. According to the Stroke Association, there are more than 100,000 strokes in the UK, each year causing 38,000 deaths, making it a leading cause of death and disability.
