Kwah LK, Harvey LA, Diong J, Herbert RD Models containing age and NIHSS predict recovery of ambulation and upper limb function six months after stroke: an observational study. J Physiother. 2013 Sep;59(3):189-97. doi: 10.1016/S1836-9553(13)70183-8. Erratum In: J Physiother. 2013 Dec;59(4):218.
Pang MY, Harris JE, Eng JJ A community-based upper-extremity group exercise program improves motor function and performance of functional activities in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 Jan;87(1):1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2005.08.113.
Pollock A, St George B, Fenton M, Firkins L Top 10 research priorities relating to life after stroke--consensus from stroke survivors, caregivers, and health professionals. Int J Stroke. 2014 Apr;9(3):313-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2012.00942.x. Epub 2012 Dec 11.
Rand D, Eng JJ Disparity between functional recovery and daily use of the upper and lower extremities during subacute stroke rehabilitation. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2012 Jan;26(1):76-84. doi: 10.1177/1545968311408918. Epub 2011 Jun 21.
Rand D, Eng JJ Predicting daily use of the affected upper extremity 1 year after stroke. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015 Feb;24(2):274-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.07.039. Epub 2014 Dec 18.
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
