The COSTAR wheelchair study: a two-centre pilot study of self-propulsion in a wheelchair in early stroke rehabilitation

Objective: It is uncertain whether self-propulsion in a wheelchair should be encouraged or discouraged in the early stages of stroke rehabilitation.Design: A two-centre pilot study to assess the feasibility of performing a multicentre randomized controlled trial on this subject.Setting: Clatterbridge and Aintree Stroke Rehabilitation Units, Merseyside, UK.Subjects: Forty early stroke patients (mean age 67 years) in whom it was uncertain whether self-propulsion in a wheelchair should be encouraged were studied.Intervention: A central randomization service at Newcastle University was used to determine the policy about wheelchair provision and use for each patient. They were allocated to either an ‘encouraged to self-propel’ or a ‘discouraged from self-propulsion group’.Outcome measures used: Independent outcome assessment was performed by postal questionnaire and telephone interview using the Barthel ADL Scale, Nottingham Extended ADL Scales and the shortened General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) at 3 and 1...