RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive poststroke rehabilitation includes continuum of care after discharge from hospital. Day hospital is a milieu-oriented outpatient rehabilitation program that offers continuous rehabilitation service to promote psychosocial adaptation and quality of life. This study is to evaluate long-term effects of day hospital program in stroke patients. METHOD: Forty-eight stroke patients who received day hospital program for 2 or more months after inpatient rehabilitation program and 42 control stroke patients, who received only inpatient rehabilitation program, responded telephone interview for the study. Outcome measurement included the Korean Activities of Daily Living (K-ADL), the Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K- IADL) and the Medical Outcome Study 8-item Short Form Survey (SF-8). RESULTS: There was no difference in many item scores of K-ADL between day hospital group and control group, but the item scores of dressing, washing face and hands were significantly higher in control group. Among the item scores of K-IADL, except managing money, most item scores of K-IADL were no significant difference between day hospital group and control group. All item scores of SF-8 were significantly higher in day hospital group than control group. CONCLUSION: Day hospital is an effective rehabilitation program to enhance health-related quality of life for stroke patients.