Daily Functioning and Quality of Life of Patients One Year Post Stroke: A Comparison of Two Different Follow-Up Care Programmes

Abstract

Background: An observational study to examine whether a new follow-up care programme (ATC) specifically aimed at conservation of daily functioning, quality of life and activities realizes better outcomes in stroke patients compared to conventional (ORP) follow-up care.

Methods: A total of 93 stroke patients who followed the ATC follow-up care programme or had conventional follow-up care were interviewed at home one-year post stroke using the Barthel Index and RAND-36 questionnaires and a questionnaire about their way of life and medication use. People aged under 60, Barthel < 10 or with haemorrhage were excluded.

Results: In this study 25% (ATC) and 29% (ORP) of patients experienced more limitations in activities after one year. In the ATC group the decrease is related to ADL independence and loss of social contacts. ADL independence is correlated with a better quality of life. Health-related quality of life was identical in the two groups. It was observed in both groups that quitting or doing less activities is significantly related to a diminished quality of life. There is no significant difference between the groups in terms of medicine use or follow-up care. More patients visit day centres in the ATC group.

Conclusions: No major differences in outcome could be found between the two groups. A relationship between doing diverse activities and quality of life was found in both groups. Perhaps studying the individual needs of stroke patient would be more effective than a standard follow-up care programme. This needs further investigation.




J Neurol Res. 2013;3(1):20-33
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jnr182e