The Stroke Foundation Learning Modules

Free learning modules produced by the Stroke Foundation (Australia) to help clinicians learn how to translate stroke guidelines recommendations into practice. Each module takes between 30-60 minutes to complete, includes multiple short videos, and demonstrates ‘best practice’ analysis and training of upper and lower limb function. Featuring StrokeEd collaborators and stroke survivors.

Recovery of Upper Limb Function

Produced by: Stroke Foundation, InformMe
Featuring: Dr Annie McCluskey, The StrokeEd Collaboration and stroke survivor Hong
Estimated time for completion: 45 minutes
Certificate of completion provided: Yes

Up to two thirds of stroke survivors walk independently at six months following their stroke but less than half will be able to use their affected arm (Kwah, Harvey, Diong, & Herbert, 2013).

The learning module, Recovery of upper limb function, has been created and reviewed by stroke, occupational therapy and physiotherapy experts and contains practical advice for therapists when assessing and planning treatment for upper limb recovery after stroke.

Experienced occupational therapy educator and clinician Dr Annie McCluskey has developed the content for this interactive learning module based on the Stroke Foundation Clinical Guidelines.

Recovery of walking

Produced by: Stroke Foundation, InformMe
Featuring: Dr Kate Scrivener, Macquarie University and The StrokeEd Collaboration, Dr Simone Dorsch, Australian Catholic University and the StrokeEd Collaboration, and stroke survivor Paul
Estimated time for completion: 30 minutes
Certificate of completion provided: Yes

Up to 75 per cent of people with stroke have difficulty walking independently on admission to hospital (Stroke Foundation, 2018). Recovery of walking has been reviewed by stroke and physiotherapy experts, and contains practical advice for physiotherapists assessing and planning treatment for walking recovery after stroke. Experienced physiotherapy educators and clinicians Dr Kate Scrivener and Dr Simone Dorsch have developed the content for this interactive learning module based on the Stroke Foundation’s Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management 2017.

VIA Therapy

The free VIA Therapy website and App recommends evidence-based upper limb interventions. Users move through an algorithm (decision tree) with three key questions about a stroke survivor’s impairments:

  1. Was the onset of the stroke within the past 12 weeks? [Y/N]
  2. Does the patients have shoulder pain or are they are high risk of shoulder pain? [Y/N]
  3. Can the patient produce any voluntary muscle activity in the affected upper limb? [Y/N]

VIA Therapy was developed in Canada by an international panel of rehabilitation researchers and clinicians, and is updated from time to time. References are provided, and dose of intervention is recommended.

The Heart & Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery is a joint initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canada’s leading stroke recovery research centres. Headquartered at the University of Ottawa, the Partnership restores quality of life to people affected by stroke by harnessing the collective expertise of leading national and international stroke recover.

The REPS Recovery Exercises App

This App contains two video-guided exercise programs for stroke survivors. PUSH a program for weak arms and TASK a task specific training program.

The TASK Program

The TASK program contains video-guided exercises of everyday tasks for stroke survivors, the tasks include sitting, standing up and standing.

TRAIN Modules

TRAIN modules inform therapists about the details in setting up effective task-specific training. There are five modules covering how to effectively train seated reach, standing up, standing and walking.