To provide a contemporary, postpandemic description of UK occupational therapy and physiotherapy practice to rehabilitate the upper limb after stroke.

A national online survey, first undertaken in 2018 (prepandemic), was readministered to describe postpandemic practice.

The survey was distributed to UK-based occupational therapists and physiotherapists working with people after stroke, via professional and social networks.

Shaped by the Template for Intervention Description and Replication Checklist, the survey collected and subsequently analysed the content, frequency and duration of upper limb rehabilitation after stroke.

A total of 122 occupational therapists (n=42) and physiotherapists (n=80) currently working clinically, across in-patient, out-patient and community settings, in the UK completed the survey. Respondents reported treating the upper limb a median of three times a week (IQR 2–4; range 0–6) for a median of 25 min (IQR: 20–35; range 3–60; n=119). Repetitive, functionally-based activities were the most commonly reported interventions for mild (n=93; 81%) and moderate (n=72; 64%) impairment. Stretching (n=73; 66%) and positioning (n=49; 45%) were most frequently reported for severe impairment. In each of the three impairment categories, a larger number of interventions were reported than in the 2018 survey.

While the pandemic promoted the use of virtual interventions, most therapists had returned to face-to-face interventions. The findings highlight that the current reported provision of upper limb therapy continues to be markedly less than the dose shown to be effective. The study provides important data which can be used to judge the success of attempts to align practice with new guidelines and inform ‘usual therapy’ for the upper limb after stroke in comparative studies.

Many people with psychosis find the world very frightening. It can be difficult for them to do everyday things—for example, walking down a busy street, travelling on a bus or going to the shops. Sometimes, the fears are so great that individuals rarely leave their homes. gameChange virtual reality therapy is designed to reduce this agoraphobic avoidance. In gameChange, users practise going into computerised immersive versions of ordinary situations. A virtual therapist guides users through the programme. A mental health worker also supports people. People normally do six sessions of gameChange, but now they can do more as headsets can be left with many people. We originally tested gameChange with 346 patients with psychosis. People saw a significant reduction in their fears. People with the most severe problems made the biggest improvements. This led to gameChange receiving National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Early Value Assessment (EVA) approval for its use with patients with psychosis who have severe agoraphobic avoidance. NICE EVA approval is conditional on further evidence generation. We aim to carry out a real-world trial of gameChange used in the NHS. The overall aim is to gather evidence on the four essential areas (clinical benefits on agoraphobia, level of engagement and adherence, healthcare resource use, adverse effects) and the two further supporting areas (health-related quality of life, generalisability) identified in the NICE evidence generation plan for gameChange.

200 patients with psychosis and severe agoraphobic avoidance will be randomised (1:1) to receive gameChange in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) or to a waitlist control group receiving TAU. Assessments will be conducted blind to group allocation at baseline, 8 weeks (end of treatment) and 26 weeks (follow-up). The trial will be embedded in services in at least seven National Health Service (NHS) trusts across England. The primary outcome is agoraphobic avoidance at 26 weeks assessed with the Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale. The secondary clinical outcomes are agoraphobic distress, paranoia and social contacts. There will be tests of moderation of the main clinical outcome. Treatment acceptability, adverse effects and cost-effectiveness will also be assessed. The target estimand is the treatment policy estimand and all primary and secondary analyses will be carried out incorporating data from all participants including those who do not complete treatment.

The trial has received ethical approval from the NHS Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales (25/WA/0081). A key output will be the evidence needed for a NICE guidance update on gameChange and a clear recommendation concerning future routine use in the NHS.

ISRCTN79060696.