The Effects of Tele-rehabilitation on Physical Function and Quality of Life for the Residents with Stroke Living in Long-Term Care Facilities
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Tsai, Ren-Jei
Abstract
Background: Stroke has been one of leading causes of disability in Taiwan. However, the follow-up medical care of stroke survivors becomes a heavy burden on medical care system and the patients themselves. Most studies focused on mortality and morbidity of stroke, but there are only few studies related to the quality of life of residents with stroke living in long-term care facilities. Literature Review: Studies conducted to patients with stroke indicated that their physical performance, mental health, physical health, and the degree of self-rated health were lower than community elder. The intervention of therapeutic exercises would improve the muscle strength, emotional and social participation in physical function for quality of life in non-institution residents. Further, studies indicated that telemedicine could monitor the physical function of patients. Purpose: To investigate whether a four-week tele-rehabilitation program can result in significant improvements in physical function and quality of life for subjects with chronic stroke living in long-term care facilities. Methods: Twenty-four participants were recruited from three long-term care facilities. Participants were assigned into tele-rehabilitation (Tele group) and conventional Groups (Con group) randomly. Baseline and post-treatment physical function, daily activities and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed by Simplified-STREAM, Berge Balance scale (BBS), Barthel index (BI), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS 3.0), respectively. Interventions were conducted to both groups by two different physical therapists with three sessions a week for four weeks of intervention. Results: The major findings in the study included as follows. (1) Both the Tele- and Con groups improved the physical components of SIS 3.0 significantly (p < 0.05). (2) Both the Tele- and Con groups improved the score of Simplified-STREAM-mobility, BBS, and BI significantly (p < 0.05). (3)SIS 3.0 was strong to very strong correlated with BI, upper limb function and gender. (4) Compared to conventional therapy, the different effects of Tele-group included improving lower limb function more than Con group, but improving the mood less than the Con group. Discussions: Compared with previous studies, the subjects we recruited had moderate to severe impairment of physical function. The improvements were mainly in the physical components of SIS which were similar with previous studies. The Tele group achieved the clinically important difference (CID) in strength and mobility domains, and the ADL/IADL domain was nearly achieved. The Con group achieved the CID in strength and ADL/IADL domains. Conclusions: Most the training effects of Tele and Con groups were similar. Tele-rehabilitation seems a feasible approach to deliver rehabilitation to those living in long-term care facilities.
Subjects
stroke
tele-rehabilitation
quality of life
physical function
long term care facility
SDGs
Type
thesis
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
ntu-100-R97428017-1.pdf
Size
23.32 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):2d20273c486199d0a8e19aa0af431fc2