Stroke

Background / Purpose: The upper limb function of a stroke survivor following stroke recovery is essential for their functional independence and quality of life. Several studies have been done on the effectiveness of CIMT on upper limb function among hemiplegic stroke patients, however published articles on the effectiveness of CIMT on upper-limb function among hemiplegic stroke survivors in Nigeria are scanty or not available.The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) on upper limb function among hemiplegic stroke survivors in a tertiary institution in Benin City. Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria to recruit the 52 participants and they were randomly assigned into a control group and an experimental group. Descriptive and Inferential statistics using One-Way ANOVA Tukey’s post-hoc test to pinpoint specific differences. Alpha level was 0.05. Results: The results showed that CIMT demonstrated significant improvements in upper limb function compared to those who received conventional therapy. The CIMT group showed higher gains in all measured parameters after the eight- week intervention. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference at p < 0.05 between the groups. Conclusion: The experimental group demonstrated significant increase in muscle strength, muscle endurance, joint flexibility and hand function. Participants also reported higher engagement and motivation throughout the intervention period. These results suggest that CIMT enhances motor recovery and functional performance among stroke survivors, promoting a more effective rehabilitation experience.

Background: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, with an increasing incidence in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Early recognition and appropriate response to stroke symptoms are critical to improving outcomes. Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a vital role in promoting stroke awareness and emergency response. Objective: This study assessed the level of knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate emergency responses among clinical undergraduate students in the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS), University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A structured, self- administered questionnaire was distributed to 322 clinical undergraduates selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a generally high level of stroke awareness among respondents. Most participants (94.1%) correctly identified the brain as the organ affected by stroke, and 98.4% recognized that stroke is preventable. Hypertension (77.0%), old age (73.3%), and diabetes were the most frequently identified risk factors. Paralysis of one side of the body (78.6%) and speech difficulty (77.3%) were the most recognized warning signs. A significant association existed between level of study and knowledge of stroke risk factors (p = 0.035) and between gender and planned response to stroke events (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin demonstrated commendable theoretical knowledge of stroke, its risk factors, and warning signs. However, gaps remain in the understanding of lifestyle-related risk factors and practical emergency response.

Background: In Nigeria, stroke is a major cause of death and disability, and recovery are greatly impacted by health-seeking behaviour (HSB). According to the biopsychosocial (BPS) model, these behaviours are shaped by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors; however, little is known about how these factors interact among stroke survivors in Edo State, Nigeria. Purpose: This study aimed to use a mixed-methods design to examine the Biopsychosocial determinants of Health Seeking Behaviour among stroke survivors in Edo State. Methods: For the quantitative arm, a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was used to recruit 55 stroke survivors through multistage sampling. Structured questionnaires (NIHSS, MAS, Berg Balance Scale, HADS, MSPSS) were used to evaluate Biopsychosocial factors and Health Seeking Behaviour. From this group, ten individuals were specifically chosen to participate in in- depth qualitative interviews. While qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis, quantitative data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square tests) using SPSS version 27.0. Results: No statistically significant correlations (p > 0.05) were found between Health Seeking Behaviour and any of the Biopsychosocial variables (such as social support, anxiety, comorbidities, and stroke severity). However, a qualitative analysis revealed five major themes that impact HSB: coping strategies, emotional reactions, family, community, and spiritual influences, clinical features and perceived cause, and health-system barriers. Notably, family support, financial limitations, and cultural beliefs played a significant role in the pathways and decisions surrounding care-seeking. Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant correlation between HSB and standard BPS measures in this sample, qualitative findings highlight the significant impact of systemic, social, and cultural factors. The results emphasize the need for stroke rehabilitation services in Edo State that are accessible, family-inclusive, and culturally sensitive.

Background: Stroke is a major public health problem and a leading cause of adult disability. The incidence, prevalence, and mortality rate of stroke have been increased worldwide, with most of the burden being in low and middle-income countries. A global survey reported that only 18% of low-income countries had stroke units, compared to 91% of high-income countries. Given the importance of stroke unit care to the prognosis of the disease in stroke patients, it is necessary to describe the current state of stroke units in the country, focusing on availability, capacity, and capability. Methods: This research involved a mixed study design of a Cross-sectional and In-Depth interview. The instruments used were questionnaire administered to 45 stroke MDTs. The In- depth interview involved 10 selected stroke MDTs. The quantitative analysis data was summarized using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. For the qualitative analysis, thematic analysis and visualization were carried out with the aid of Nvivo 14 Software. Result: Participants (26 males and 19 females) in this study were aged 21-56 years. Referral rate for physiotherapy was relatively high. There was a good utilization of physiotherapy. There was a significant association between referral rate, utilization and relevance of physiotherapy among stroke multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: Stroke care has advanced and more patients are surviving the acute-stage. In stroke care model, rehabilitation is now considered an integral component of all levels of stroke care.This research has identified a good utilization of physiotherapy and itsrelevance among multidisciplinary team.However,there is a need to improve the knowledge,awareness andeducation regarding physiotherapy and rehabilitation for all cadres of health care workers. Physiotherapist need to be proactive in this area and need the support of health services, training institutions and the government.