News and Events
Step by Step at Brooks HealthCare Plaza: Re-gaining Symmetry Following Stroke
The Brooks Endowment-funded study, “Mechanisms of Restoring Symmetric Gait Post-Stroke: Role of the Ankle Plantarflexors” is currently underway at Brooks’ Health Care Plaza and the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies. The goal of endowment-funded studies is to provide a venue to encourage collaboration between The Brooks Health System and the University of Florida. The purpose of this study, referred to by the acronym “STRAP” (Strengthening Ankle Plantarflexors), is to examine the role of ankle plantarflexor strength on gait symmetry post-stroke. We often assume that it is the ankle dorsiflexor musculature that is the most problematic post-stroke but more recent evidence has implicated weak plantarflexor muscles in gait deficits following stroke. We are currently recruiting ambulatory patients within 1 year of stroke onset who are receiving therapy services at the Health Care Plaza. Study participants are randomized to one of two different exercise groups and then receive 30 sessions of the intervention. Intervention sessions are coordinated so not to interfere with their regularly scheduled outpatient therapy at HCP. There is no cost to participate in this study. As with many clinical trials, participant recruitment has been a challenge, but we are hopeful by opening up our criteria from 6 months to 1-year post stroke we will increase our recruitment possibilities.
Many individuals from the Brooks Health System have been supportive in making this trial happen. Dr. Trevor Paris, Brooks’ Medical Director, serves as the study’s Co-Investigator. Holly Morris, MSN, RN, CRRC, Research Director, Amanda Osborne, PT Regional Manager, Kerry Mallini, PT and Christy Conroy, PT and Neuro OP Supervisors have leant their support to the project. This study has provided an opportunity for those enrolled in the Neurologic Residency Program at Brooks to fulfill the program’s requirements to participate in research and again illustrates the benefits of collaborative research. We are grateful for their contributions to the trial’s success. Jackie Causer, from the Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies, serves as Project Coordinator for the study and is the primary liaison to the Healthcare Plaza staff. She is supported by Flo Singletary, Clinical Coordinator of the Center.
We are pleased for this collaborative opportunity and look forward to the success of the trial. If you have questions regarding the trial, please contact Jackie Causer at (904) 306-8970.
Investigation of the STarT Back Screening Tool in Physical Therapy Settings
A new study funded by Brooks Endowment Grant is looking at the STarT screening tool in physical therapy. The STarT screening tool has been investigated in primary care settings to determine risk status for development of chronic low back pain. The tool has not been researched in physical therapy settings.
This study will begin in January of 2010 at the Center for Back and Neck Health. This study will determine if the STarT screening tool can be used in physical therapy settings as an adjunct to identify risk status for patients with low back pain.
Dr. Steven George, PT, PhD, University of Florida will be the primary investigator for this study. His team will include: Jason Beneciuk, PT (Co-PI) (Brooks PRN clinician & orthopaedic residency mentor), Michael Robinson, PhD (Co-Investigator), Anne Nisenzon, MS (Co-Investigator), Ryan Reed, Brooks PT (Site Coordinator) and Charles Gay, D.C. (Research Assistant).
This study proposes to recruit 150 participants, who must have diagnosis of low back pain, be older than 18 years of age, and receiving physical therapy treatment.
For more information on this study, Contact Jason Beneciuk at (904) 303-2103 or beneciuk@phhp.ufl.edu or Dr. Steven George at (352) 273-6432 or szgeorge@phhp.ufl.edu.