A Caregiver-mediated Intervention Improves the Functional Ability of Home-living Chronic Stroke Patients

Caregiver-mediated Intervention in Home-living Chronic Stroke Patients

To examine the feasibility of improving stroke patients' physical functional recovery and social participation through improving caregiver's care capability.

In the hospital, most rehabilitation units are like sheltered workshops and the therapists work with stroke patients in well-designed, but non-home-like, environment to improve the stroke patient's functional ability. After returning home, stroke patients face new challenges and also need to assume more responsibility for daily activities. Without continuing rehabilitation training or proper support, the patients can easily fall into a sedentary lifestyle and lead to declines in functional ability.However, providing home-based exercise by therapists directly would increase the health care cost and may not be practical for chronic stroke patients. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine whether a caregiver-mediated, home-based intervention program is effective for improving stroke patients' functional ability and social participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. >6 months post first stroke with mild to moderate disability (Brunnstrom stage III-V)
2. No longer undertaking active rehabilitation program(defined as ≤2 times/wk rehabilitation activities)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Recurring strokes
2. Mental or cognitive impairment
3. Severe orthopedic disability or unstable medical conditions (such as severe rheumatoid arthritis or acute myocardial infarction)
4. Caregiver with mental/behavioral disorders