Jenny Larson

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of a support and education programme for spouses of people affected by stroke

Objective: To determine whether a nurse-led support and education programme for spouses of patients affected by stroke improved the psychological health of the spouses. Design: A longitudinal, open, randomized controlled trial. Sample: One hundred spouses of stroke patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Setting: The study was conducted in a hospital setting. Intervention: The intervention consisted of six group meetings during six months, with a follow-up after further six months. Comparison between the intervention and the control groups was made at baseline, after six and 12 months using analysis with repeated measures. Main measures: The Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale — Self-Affective for psychological health. Results: No significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups concerning overall psychological health. However, a subanalysis revealed that those who participated more frequently in the group meetings (five or six times) had significantly stronger psychological health (P<0.05). Knowledge about stroke increased over time in both groups, but participants in the intervention group learned more (P = 0.041). Conclusion: Encouraging participation in the group meetings of a support programme might have a positive effect on psychological health.

Elderly persons' experience and management of eating situations 6 months after stroke.

Purpose. To explore the experience and management of eating situations among persons affected by stroke, 6 months after stroke onset. Method. A qualitative constant comparative approach, influenced by principles of grounded theory, was used to analyse the interviews. Thirteen participants were interviewed in the home setting 6 months after the stroke. Results. Experiences and desire to master eating situations varied, and was related to values and previous habits. Eating difficulties were experienced as disgusting, uncomfortable, strenuous, or unproblematic and not implying shame. Getting help from others could be experienced as embarrassing and undesirable. In particular, eating could be more difficult when eating in company of unfamiliar people. The participants found new ways of mastering eating situations. Some had regained former routines. Conclusions. Old values and habits and/or involvement of other people were the basis of mastering eating situations. New ways of mastering were found, some accepted, and got used to the new situation. Some regained former routines. This knowledge could contribute to health care personnels awareness of each patients individual values and previous habits during the rehabilitation process. A dialogue is needed with the person suffering from eating difficulties after stroke, to help create the best possible individual conditions for mastering eating situations.

A multiprofessional education programme for patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A randomized controlled trial

Objective. Health-related quality of life is impaired in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and improved disease-related information can improve this situation. The aims of this study were to create an education programme that could be readily applicable at the clinic and would be suitable for newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and to investigate whether the programme could improve their health-related quality of life. Material and methods. Ninety-three patients with inflammatory bowel disease in remission were included and randomized to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group attended a multiprofessional education programme while the control group received regular information. Four questionnaires were used for measuring health-related quality of life. Both groups completed the questionnaires at baseline and after 6 months. The intervention group also completed the questionnaires after 1 month. Results. No significant differences were found when comparing the two groups at 6 months. However, the multiprofessional education programme was highly appreciated by the patients. Conclusions. In the present study no improvement could be seen in health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease after participating in an education programme in comparison with the control group. This might be due to the fact that the questionnaires were not sensitive enough or that some patients were not in clinical remission. The patients’ enthusiasm for the multiprofessional education programme has led to its being part of the regular care at the clinic.