The cognitive and physical impairments after stroke present challenges to XoSoft.
A recent study on stroke burden that has been published in the Lancet Neurology Journal shows that about 90% of the stroke burden are due to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, poor diet, or low physical activity, but also air pollution was found to be a highly considerable factor. Since the 1990s almost all of these risk factors have increased, hence, preventive measures are of indispensable necessity.
Nevertheless, every year millions of people are suffering from stroke despite any precautions taken. In 2010, there were 33 million stroke cases worldwide, with 16.9 million people having a first stroke [1]. Motor deficit is the most common impairment in stroke patients [2]. Lower limb weakness is present in approximately 72% of people following stroke [3]. Approximately one-third of community-dwelling people with stroke cannot get around unsupervised in the community [4]. This indicates significant opportunities for an assistive device such as XoSoft in this population.
However, a number of challenges also exist. The clinical presentations of individuals affected by stroke can vary greatly, in terms of type and severity, as well as the areas of the body affected. Upper limb impairment is more common than lower limb weakness, and may limit the ability to use assistive devices, particularly a wearable device which must be put on and taken off. Additionally, increased muscle tone and impaired voluntary movement following stroke present challenges to the control of a device like XoSoft.
Prevalence of cognitive impairment is high following stroke, particularly in those with greater levels of disability. Various hospital-based studies report prevalence of cognitive impairment ranging from 11.6% to 56.3% [5].
Hence, XoSoft is continuously facing new challenges but with our interdisciplinary research team from seven countries one is not addressing them alone and we are ready to face them heads on.
Nevertheless, every year millions of people are suffering from stroke despite any precautions taken. In 2010, there were 33 million stroke cases worldwide, with 16.9 million people having a first stroke [1]. Motor deficit is the most common impairment in stroke patients [2]. Lower limb weakness is present in approximately 72% of people following stroke [3]. Approximately one-third of community-dwelling people with stroke cannot get around unsupervised in the community [4]. This indicates significant opportunities for an assistive device such as XoSoft in this population.
However, a number of challenges also exist. The clinical presentations of individuals affected by stroke can vary greatly, in terms of type and severity, as well as the areas of the body affected. Upper limb impairment is more common than lower limb weakness, and may limit the ability to use assistive devices, particularly a wearable device which must be put on and taken off. Additionally, increased muscle tone and impaired voluntary movement following stroke present challenges to the control of a device like XoSoft.
Prevalence of cognitive impairment is high following stroke, particularly in those with greater levels of disability. Various hospital-based studies report prevalence of cognitive impairment ranging from 11.6% to 56.3% [5].
Hence, XoSoft is continuously facing new challenges but with our interdisciplinary research team from seven countries one is not addressing them alone and we are ready to face them heads on.
References
http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/air-pollution-now-a-leading-risk-factor-for-stroke-global-research-finds-20160612-gphdtd.html
[1] V. L. Feigin, M. H. Forouzanfar, R. Krishnamurthi, G. A. Mensah, M. Connor, D. A. Bennett, et al., "Global and regional burden of stroke during 1990–2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010," The Lancet, vol. 383, pp. 245-255, 2014.
[2] V. L. Feigin, C. M. Lawes, D. A. Bennett, S. L. Barker-Collo, and V. Parag, "Worldwide stroke incidence and early case fatality reported in 56 population-based studies: a systematic review," Lancet Neurol, vol. 8, pp. 355-69, Apr 2009.
[3] E. S. Lawrence, C. Coshall, R. Dundas, J. Stewart, A. G. Rudd, R. Howard, et al., "Estimates of the prevalence of acute stroke impairments and disability in a multiethnic population," Stroke, vol. 32, pp. 1279-84, Jun 2001.
[4] S. E. Lord, K. McPherson, H. K. McNaughton, L. Rochester, and M. Weatherall, "Community ambulation after stroke: how important and obtainable is it and what measures appear predictive?," Arch Phys Med Rehabil, vol. 85, pp. 234-9, Feb 2004.
[5] M. D. Patel, C. Coshall, A. G. Rudd, and C. D. Wolfe, "Cognitive Impairment after Stroke: Clinical Determinants and Its Associations with Long‐Term Stroke Outcomes," Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol. 50, pp. 700-706, 2002.
[6] T. Tatemichi, D. Desmond, Y. Stern, M. Paik, M. Sano, and E. Bagiella, "Cognitive impairment after stroke: frequency, patterns, and relationship to functional abilities," Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, vol. 57, pp. 202-207, 1994.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/air-pollution-now-a-leading-risk-factor-for-stroke-global-research-finds-20160612-gphdtd.html
[1] V. L. Feigin, M. H. Forouzanfar, R. Krishnamurthi, G. A. Mensah, M. Connor, D. A. Bennett, et al., "Global and regional burden of stroke during 1990–2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010," The Lancet, vol. 383, pp. 245-255, 2014.
[2] V. L. Feigin, C. M. Lawes, D. A. Bennett, S. L. Barker-Collo, and V. Parag, "Worldwide stroke incidence and early case fatality reported in 56 population-based studies: a systematic review," Lancet Neurol, vol. 8, pp. 355-69, Apr 2009.
[3] E. S. Lawrence, C. Coshall, R. Dundas, J. Stewart, A. G. Rudd, R. Howard, et al., "Estimates of the prevalence of acute stroke impairments and disability in a multiethnic population," Stroke, vol. 32, pp. 1279-84, Jun 2001.
[4] S. E. Lord, K. McPherson, H. K. McNaughton, L. Rochester, and M. Weatherall, "Community ambulation after stroke: how important and obtainable is it and what measures appear predictive?," Arch Phys Med Rehabil, vol. 85, pp. 234-9, Feb 2004.
[5] M. D. Patel, C. Coshall, A. G. Rudd, and C. D. Wolfe, "Cognitive Impairment after Stroke: Clinical Determinants and Its Associations with Long‐Term Stroke Outcomes," Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol. 50, pp. 700-706, 2002.
[6] T. Tatemichi, D. Desmond, Y. Stern, M. Paik, M. Sano, and E. Bagiella, "Cognitive impairment after stroke: frequency, patterns, and relationship to functional abilities," Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, vol. 57, pp. 202-207, 1994.
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