Does evidence really matter? Professionals’ opinions on the practice of early mobilization after stroke

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic profile of the professionals (n = 202)

	n	%
Age (years)
20–29	40	20
30–39	61	30
40–49	50	25
50–59	44	22
60–69	6	3
>69	1	0
Gender
Female	132	65
Male	70	35
Profession
Nursing	71	35
Medicine	52	26
Physiotherapy	39	19
Occupational therapy	24	12
Speech pathology	9	4
Other	7	3
Experience (years)
≤2	25	12
3–5	51	25
6–10	53	26
11–15	26	13
16–20	14	7
21–30	24	12
>30	9	4
Work
Acute stroke unit	92	46
Rehabilitation	62	31
Acute other unit	15	7
Community care	13	6
Other	20	10

Figure 1 Professionals’ responses to the three statements “In my opinion a patient’s final: (1) motor outcome, (2) cognitive outcome, (3) risk of depression, heavily depends on being mobilized out of bed very early after their stroke.”

Figure 2 The level of evidence currently supporting the practice of early mobilization.

Note: The proportion of health professionals who did not support the practice of early mobilization after stroke (and who did not complete this question) is shown in dark grey.
Abbreviations: PT, physiotherapist; OT, occupational therapist; SP, speech pathologist; RCT, randomized controlled trial.

Figure 3 The level of evidence professionals would need to be convinced of benefit.

Abbreviations: PT, physiotherapist; OT, occupational therapist; SP, speech pathologist; RCT, randomized controlled trial.

Table

Q1. In my opinion acute stroke patients need a lot of bed rest to recover, and should not start physical activity too soon	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5

Table

a. Ischemic stroke	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5
b. Hemorrhagic stroke	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5

Table

Q3a Ischemic stroke(multiple choices possible) >24 hours but less than 48 hours after stroke onset >48 hours but less than 72 hours after stroke onset > 3 days but within 7 days 7–14 days on reaching rehabilitation completely dependent on the patients’ physical ability completely dependent on the patients’ wishes when cardiovascularly stable

Q3b Hemorrhagic stroke(multiple choices possible) >24 hours but less than 48 hours after stroke onset >48 hours but less than 72 hours after stroke onset > 3 days but within 7 days 7–14 days on reaching rehabilitation completely dependent on the patients’ physical ability completely dependent on the patients’ wishes when cardiovascularly stable

Table

My own personal experience of benefit The opinion of experts I trust Clinical studies showing benefit

A positive small randomized controlled trial A positive systematic review A positive large randomized controlled trial

Table

a. Ischemic stroke	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5
b. Hemorrhagic stroke	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5

Table

My own personal experience of benefit The opinion of experts I trust Clinical studies showing benefit

A positive small randomized controlled trial A positive systematic review A positive large randomized controlled trial

NOTE: if you answered “agree, strongly agree” to Q2 (harmful) you may skip Q6.

Table

Q7. Motor outcome	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5
Q8. Cognitive outcome	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5
Q9. Risk of depression	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
	1	2	3	4	5