The Effect of a Multidisciplinary Team Approach on the Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors / 재활간호학회지

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to develop a multidisciplinary team approach program for stroke survivors, and to identify its effects on their rehabilitation. The team was composed of 7 members a rehabilitation nurse, a physician, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a therapeutic recreational therapist, a nutritionist, and a researcher. A quasi-experimental study was performed with 36 SUBJECTS: 18 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group, using a noneqivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group participated 4 times in rehabilitation programs-focused on information and emotional support provided by the rehabilation team - and received telephone counseling from the researcher. The control group did not receive any treatment. The selection criteria for the subjects in this study were (a) patients who were diagnosed as having had an ischemic stroke within the last year, (b) patients free of any communication disorder, (c) and those having a primary caregiver who could assist in filling out the form assessing the level of ADL. The data were collected from patients who had been discharged from a tertiary hospital. between October 1st, 1999 and September 30th, 2000. The data were analysed by chi2test, Fisher's exact test, ANCOVA, Wilcoxon's rank sum test, and Wilcoxon's signed rank test using an SAS program. The results were as follows 1. In terms of physical variables (blood pressure, grasp power, and ADL) 1) There was a significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups (systolic pressure p= .012, diastolic pressure P= .050). 2) There was also a significant difference in grasp power between the two groups (affected side P= .012, unaffected side P= .010). 3) There was no significant change in the level of ADL between the two groups. 2. In terms of psychosocial variables (depression, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social activities) 1) There were no significant differences between the two groups. However, all four psychosocial variables showed a tendency to improve in the experimental group, while only two variables (depression and self-efficacy) showed a simalar tendency in the control group. 2) The level of social activities in the control group decreased significantly after a month (P= .050). 3. The level of life satisfaction improved in both groups, but no significant difference was found. Stroke has high recurrence rate and requires considerable follow-up care. The program used in this study was developed and designed for stimulting the rehabilitation process of stroke survivors. Through the program period of one month (meetings were held weekly), a positive effect was detected in physical variables, although the psychosocial variables did not improve significantly. In retrospect, a one month period may not be an adequate length of time to improve the psychosocial variables, as the stroke survivors were complicated cases, and most of them were elderly. Further research is therefore recommended by increasing the length of program, so that its effect can be more noticeable.