Pakaratee Chaiyawat

Effectiveness of home rehabilitation program for ischemic stroke upon disability and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND To develop and examine the effectiveness of individual 6-month home rehabilitation program in ischemic stroke patients upon disability and quality of life at 2 years. METHODS This is a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 60 patients with recent ischemic stroke. They were randomly assigned to receive either home rehabilitation program once a month for 6 months with audiovisual materials (intervention group) or usual care (control group). We collected outcome data after discharge from the hospital until 2 years. The Barthel index (BI), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and utility index (EQ-5D) were measured for function, disability and quality of life respectively. RESULTS At 2 years, the BI was significantly improved in the intervention group more than the control group: 97.2±2.8 vs. 76.4±9.4, p<0.001. The good outcome, defined as BI 95-100, or mRS 0 or 1. For BI, there were 29 patients (96.7%) in intervention group vs 12 patients (42.9%) in usual care group (95% CI, 42.0, 85.0, p=0.03). For mRS, there were 28 patients (93.3%) in intervention group vs 9 patients (32.1%) in usual care group (95% CI, 38.2, 87.0, p=0.02). Number needed to treat for good outcome in mRS was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.3). The mean (SD) of utility index in intervention group and control group were 0.9±0.02 and 0.7±0.04 respectively (p=0.03). There was no significant interaction in baseline characteristics and treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS Early home rehabilitation program in the first 6 months period after ischemic stroke leads to more rapid improvement in function, reducing disability and increase quality of life than usual care.

Effectiveness of home rehabilitation for ischemic stroke

The objective of this study was to develop and examine the effectiveness of an individual home rehabilitation program for patients with ischemic stroke. This was a randomized controlled trial in 60 patients with recent middle cerebral artery infarction. After hospital discharge for acute stroke care, they were randomly assigned to receive either a home rehabilitation program for three months (intervention group) or usual care (control group). We collected outcome data over three months after their discharge from the hospital. The Barthel Index (BI), the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), the health-related quality-of-life index (EQ-5D), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression score (HADs), and the Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE) were used to analyze the outcomes. In the intervention group, all outcomes were significantly better (p<0.05) than in the control group, except in the case of TMSE. A favorable outcome, which was defined as minimal or no disability as measured by BI (score 95–100), was achieved by 93.33% of patients in the intervention group, and 90% had favorable scores (0 or 1) on the MRS. This showed a benefit in reducing disability, with two being the number of patients considered as needed-to-treat (NNT) (95% CI, 1.0–1.2). All dimensions of EQ-5D in the intervention group were significantly better for quality of life and generic health status than in the control group (p=0.001). Depression was found in one patient (3.33%) in the intervention group and in two patients (6.67%) in the control group. Dementia was found in three patients (10%) in the intervention group and in four patients (13.33%) in the control group. We concluded that an early home rehabilitation program for patients with ischemic stroke in the first three-month period provides significantly better outcomes in improving function, reducing disability, increasing quality of life, and reducing depression than a program of usual care does.

Randomized controlled trial of home rehabilitation for patients with ischemic stroke: impact upon disability and elderly depression

Background:  Patients with major stroke are often left with disability and may have depression and dementia during the recovery phase. Rehabilitation programmes have been shown to improve short‐term physical outcome, but their long‐term effectiveness and impact on dementia and depression are uncertain.

PREDICTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY IN THAILAND

OBJECTIVE To identify the predictors of community participation after spinal cord injury. DESIGN Cross-sectional design. METHODS A total of 139 persons with spinal cord injury living in the community completed 4 instruments: the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA-Thai version), the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF-SF-Thai version), the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ2000-Thai version), and a personal history questionnaire. Functional performance was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor subscale. RESULTS Participants comprised 79% males. Fifty-one percent of variance in community participation was explained by social support, functional performance, age, and age at time of injury. CONCLUSION Key predictors of community participation were the availability of social support and the individuals functional performance. These predictors should be emphasized when developing interventions in rehabilitation and community settings.

Enhanced Upper Extremity Functions with a Single Session of Action-Observation-Execution and Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program in Subacute Stroke

Background Action-observation-execution (AOE) primes physical training. We examined the immediate effect of AOE with accelerated skill acquisition program (ASAP) on dexterity in subacute stroke. Methods Twelve individuals from 1 to 6 months after stroke were allocated into two groups by matching age and side of stroke. After AOE of 30 minutes, the experimental group received ASAP for 60 minutes whereas the control group received dose-equivalent usual care. The movement time (MT) and functional ability (FA) of hand items of the Wolf motor function test (WMFT), hand functions and global recovery of stroke impact scale (SIS), and intrinsic motivation items of stroke rehabilitation motivation scale were assessed at baseline, after training, and during one-week follow-up. Data were analyzed within and between the groups. Results AOE significantly decreased MT of flipping cards of WMFT and hand functions of SIS. Total MT was markedly reduced. AOE with ASAP demonstrated significant group-by-time interactions on MT of lifting pencil of WMFT, total MT, and global recovery. Grip strength, FA, and hand functions were significantly improved only in the experimental group. Both groups improved motivation significantly. Conclusions The AOE with ASAP enhanced dexterity, which persisted for at least a week. This intervention might improve dexterity in subacute stroke. Trial Registration Number This trial is registered with TCTR20161007001.