Health education for stroke patient carers: does it affect functional status improvement in patients after ischemic stroke?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the prospective cohort study was to assess the impact of the conducted carer training on functional status improvement in patients after stroke.

Background: In recent years, the role of family in unprofessional care provision for patients in their home environment has been emphasized.

Methods: The cohort comprised 157 patients after ischemic stroke. The study group consisted of 81 patients and their carers who participated in the education program, and the control group included 76 patients. We used a repeated measures design: the patients' functional status was assessed on the day of hospital discharge and after 3 and 12 months at home.

Results: After 12 months the patients' functional status according to Barthel Index and Modified Rankin Scale significantly improved in both groups, but no difference between the groups was noted in the degree of improvement achieved.

Conclusions: The carers' participation in the education program did not significantly affect the patients' functional improvement.

Keywords: Health education; Ischemic stroke; Secondary prevention.