Guidance
Recommendations for research
Recommendations for research
Key recommendations for research
1 Intensity of rehabilitation – therapy for 7 days a week
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of delivering rehabilitation for 7 days a week compared to 5 days a week for people after a stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on intensity of stroke rehabilitation.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence reviews E1 to E5: intensity of rehabilitation.
2 Intensity of rehabilitation – psychological therapy
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of more intensive cognitive and psychological therapy compared to usual care for people after a stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on intensity of stroke rehabilitation.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence reviews E1 to E5: intensity of rehabilitation.
3 Tool for assessing fatigue in people with communication difficulties
For people after stroke with communication difficulties, what is the optimal tool for assessing fatigue? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on fatigue.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: optimal tool for fatigue.
4 Computer-based speech and language therapy
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of computer-based tools to treat problems with speech (dysarthria) and all domains of language (aphasia) for people with communication difficulties after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on communication.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review K: computer-based tools for speech and language therapy.
5 Management of shoulder pain by cause
For people with different causes of shoulder pain after stroke, what is the clinical and cost effectiveness of interventions in reducing pain? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on managing shoulder pain.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review O: shoulder pain.
Other recommendations for research
6 Tools for fatigue
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of the Fatigue Severity Scale, Fatigue Assessment Scale and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in informing the management of fatigue in people after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on fatigue.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: optimal tool for fatigue.
7 Handheld hearing screeners
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness, and the diagnostic test accuracy, of using handheld hearing screeners to assess hearing in people after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on hearing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: optimal tool for hearing.
8 Prevalence of hearing problems
What is the prevalence of hearing problems in people after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on hearing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: optimal tool for hearing.
9 Intensity of rehabilitation – swallowing therapy
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of more intensive swallowing therapy compared to usual care for people after a stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on intensity of stroke rehabilitation.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence reviews E1 to E5: intensity of rehabilitation.
10 Self-management interventions
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of self-management interventions for people after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on self-management interventions.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: self-management.
11 Impact of telerehabilitation on cognition and mood
What is the impact of telerehabilitation on cognition and mood for people after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on telerehabilitation.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review G: telerehabilitation.
12 Swallowing – free water protocol
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of the free water protocol to support people with drinking after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on swallowing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: eating and drinking.
13 Swallowing – neurostimulation
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of neurostimulation (pharyngeal electrical stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation) to improve swallowing in people with oropharyngeal dysphagia after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on swallowing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: eating and drinking.
14 Swallowing – neuromuscular electrical stimulation
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to improve oesophageal dysphagia after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on swallowing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: eating and drinking.
15 Swallowing – acupuncture
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of acupuncture to improve swallowing in people with oropharyngeal dysphagia after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on swallowing.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: eating and drinking.
16 Music therapy and interventions
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of music therapy for people after a first stroke or recurrent strokes? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on music therapy and interventions.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review N: music therapy.
17 Diagnostic assessment to inform management of shoulder pain
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of diagnostic assessment to decide the choice of management for shoulder pain after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on managing shoulder pain.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review O: shoulder pain.
18 Spasticity – acupuncture and electroacupuncture
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of acupuncture and electroacupuncture to treat spasticity in people who have had a stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on spasticity.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review P: spasticity.
19 Spasticity – botulinum toxin A
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of Botox, Dysport and Xeomin compared to each other and usual care for people with focal spasticity after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on spasticity.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review P: spasticity.
20 Spasticity – electrotherapy
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) compared to usual care for people who have spasticity after a stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on spasticity.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review P: spasticity.
21 Groups that benefit from mirror therapy
Which groups of people benefit from mirror therapy after stroke? [2023]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on mirror therapy for the upper or lower limb.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review Q: mirror therapy.