Effectiveness of telehome-care in functional recovery after stroke：a randomized, controlled trial / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the influence of a multifaceted stroke telehome-care (THC) on extremities function, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods A total of 52 stroke survivors in department of neurology were randomized to the THC intervention or usual care. The patients in the control group received conventional care, while those in the intervention group were additionally given a THC program over 3 months. The THC intervention includes motor imagery and adaptive strategies. Data collection was undertaken using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale (FMA), the Barthel Index (BI), the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results At baseline, the scores of FMA, BI, and SIS in the intervention group were 53.62 ± 23.52, 54.04 ± 17.44, 179.96 ± 28.51, and while the scores of the control group were 50.96 ± 19.52, 49.46 ± 15.09, 169.23 ± 28.48. There were no pre-existing differences on any scale between the two groups (t=0.443, 1.012, 1.358, P > 0.05). At 3 months, the scores of FMA, BI, SIS in the control group were 53.54 ± 17.45, 50.77 ± 14.47, 76.19 ± 27.78, and were significantly lower than 78.38 ± 12.54, 74.62 ± 11.22, 228.54±22.63 in the THC group (t=5.895, 6.641, 7.449,P<0.01). At 6 months, the scores of FMA, BI, SIS in the control group were 57.88±17.89, 59.08±13.85, 183.92±26.56, and were significantly lower than 90.58 ± 9.60, 86.54 ± 9.88, 252.19 ± 20.10 in the THC group (t=8.211, 8.233, 10.451, P < 0.01). Conclusions A telehome-care program that provide distance training and education of disabled persons resulted in greater improvements in physical functioning, ADL and quality of life.