CAN REHABILITATION IN THE HOME SETTING REDUCE THE BURDEN OF CARE FOR THE NEXT-OF-KIN OF STROKE VICTIMS? 1

Can rehabilitation in the home setting reduce the burden of care for the next-of-kin of stroke victims?. Background: More evidence of the efficacy of caregiver interventions is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether counselling in the home setting reduces the care giver burden. Methods: Thirtysix patients after stroke, median age 53 years, with a close family member, were selected for an evaluation of the burden of care and 35 participated. They were part of a randomized controlled trial, comparing rehabilitation in the home setting with outpatient rehabili tation. In the home setting, counselling about the stroke and its consequences was included. Assessments with the Care giver Burden scale were made at 3 weeks, 3 months and one year after discharge. Results: The burden of the 2 groups did not differ. After the intervention, there was a tendency to a lower burden for the home setting. The burden for the home setting was then unchanged from 3 weeks to 1 year, while outpatient rehabilitation showed a reduced burden over time. For the home setting, significant correlations to activity level were seen after the intervention. Conclusion: A positive effect of counselling was seen, as the home setting burden tends to be lower after the intervention, while outpatient rehabilitation seems to adjust with time. The results suggest that counselling reduces burden and the remaining burden is associated with the patient's ability. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicin

Process skill rather than motor skill seems to be a predictor of costs for rehabilitation after a stroke in working age; a longitudinal study with a 1 year follow up post discharge

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years a number of costs of stroke studies have been conducted based on incidence or prevalence and estimating costs at a given time. As there still is a need for a deeper understanding of factors influencing these costs the aim of this study was to calculate the direct and indirect costs in a younger (<65) sample of stroke patients and to explore factors affecting the costs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-eight patients included in a study of home rehabilitation and followed for 1 year after discharge from the rehabilitation unit, were interviewed about their use of health care services, assistance, medications and assistive devices. Costs (defined as the cost for society) were calculated. A linear regression of cost and variables of functioning, ability, community integration and health-related quality of life was done.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Inpatient care contributed substantially to the direct cost with a mean length of stay of 92 days. Rehabilitation during the first year constituted of an average of 28 days in day clinics, 38 physiotherapy sessions and 20 occupational therapy sessions. The total direct mean cost was 80 020 € and the indirect cost 35 129 €. The direct costs were influenced by the process skill (the ability to plan and perform a given task and to adapt when needed) and presence of aphasia. Indirect costs for informal care giving increased for patients with a lower health-related quality of life as well as a low score on home integration.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Costs are high in this group of young (< 65 years) stroke patients compared to other studies, partly due to the length of the stay and partly to loss of productivity.</p

Chronic pain and sex differences:Women accept and move, while men feel blue

Purpose The aim of this study is to explore differences between male and female patients entering a rehabilitation program at a pain clinic in order to gain a greater understanding of different approaches to be used in rehabilitation. Method 1371 patients referred to a specialty pain rehabilitation clinic, completed sociodemographic and pain related questionnaires. They rated their pain acceptance (CPAQ-8), their kinesiophobia (TSK), the impact of pain in their life (MPI), anxiety and depression levels (HAD) and quality of life scales: the SF-36, LiSat-11, and the EQ-5D. Because of the large sample size of the study, the significance level was set at the p amp;lt;= .01. Results Analysis by t-test showed that when both sexes experience the same pain severity, women report significantly higher activity level, pain acceptance and social support while men report higher kinesiophobia, mood disturbances and lower activity level. Conclusion Pain acceptance (CPAQ-8) and kinesiophobia (TSK) showed the clearest differences between men and women. Pain acceptance and kinesiophobia are behaviorally defined and have the potential to be changed.Funding Agencies|Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR); Vardal Foundation; RehSAM; AFA insurance, Sweden; Swedish Association for Survivors of Accident and Injury (RTP); Renee Eanders Foundation</p

Stroke rehabilitation: A randomized controlled study in the home setting; Functioning and costs.

Aim: The purpose of the thesis was to describe and evaluate different aspects of rehabilitation after discharge for persons of working age after stroke. Aims were to compare an approach of support, information and training in the home setting with ordinary outpatient rehabilitation at the clinic and to describe the costs and factors influencing the costs. Method: Fifty-eight persons, median age 53 years (27-64), with a first occurrence of stroke, participated in a randomized controlled study following ordinary in-patient rehabilitation. They received 9 hours of training per week for 3 weeks after discharge either at home (home group, N=29) or at the day clinic (day clinic group, N=29). Blinded evaluations were made at discharge, 3 weeks, 3 months and 1 year post discharge. For outcome, the assessments targeted the different components of the ICF. The main outcome was activity, assessed with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skill (AMPS). Burden of care for the next-of-kin was investigated in the groups. Societal costs for having a stroke were estimated as well as the cost of the two interventions. Rasch analysis was performed on the European Brain Injury Questionnaire (EBIQ) to assess its reliability and validity for outcome evaluation. Result: In the post acute phase most improvement occurred in activity. There seemed to be an earlier improvement on some measures for the home group. The costs of the home group were less than half of the costs of the day clinic group. The caregiver burden was quite high in this study on relatively mild strokes indicating that other aspects than neurological influence the burden. The process skill and presence of aphasia were found to be significantly affecting the length of stay and thereby the cost. The instrument EBIQ was found to be valid and reliable for evaluation. Conclusion: Rehabilitation in the home setting seems to reduce burden of care and costs. Both rehabilitation programs could be recommended; however, further studies are needed to define patients who may specifically benefit from the home rehabilitation program. Needs may differ among younger and older persons which may explain the differences found in resource allocation

Which is the Best Way to Assess and Follow-Up Fitness to Drive after Stroke?

Aim: To explore the feasibility to make on-road assessments routinely at 3 months follow-up for all patients with a 3 months verbal prohibition of driving after stroke, to support the physicians decision of fitness to drive. Methods: From September 2007 to December 2009 there were 151 stroke patients from the stroke units at the hospital eligible for inclusion in the study. Fifty agreed to be assessed by the Nordic Stroke Driver Screening Assessment (NorSDSA) and on-road assessment. As base for discussion about the consequences on resource use relative to accuracy, calculations were made to explore and compare an expected yearly cost for two different assessment conditions, the NorSDSA followed by on-road assessment in uncertain cases and on-road assessment for all cases. Findings: The yearly need for driving assessments was estimated to 500 patients. With less accuracy than only on-road assessments the NorSDSA with the stipulated cut-off produced a cost benefit of 1,700 €. The NorSDSA resulted in 32% uncertain cases and the certain cases were in 17% in disagreement with the on-road assessment, the gold standard. Conclusion: It is conceivable and could be recommended to make on-road assessments for all patients with stroke at 3 months follow-up as accuracy is of importance both for patients and society and may save resources in the long run

Which is the Best Way to Assess and Follow-Up Fitness to Drive after Stroke?

Aim: To explore the feasibility to make on-road assessments routinely at 3 months follow-up for all patients with a 3 months verbal prohibition of driving after stroke, to support the physicians decision of fitness to drive. Methods: From September 2007 to December 2009 there were 151 stroke patients from the stroke units at the hospital eligible for inclusion in the study. Fifty agreed to be assessed by the Nordic Stroke Driver Screening Assessment (NorSDSA) and on-road assessment. As base for discussion about the consequences on resource use relative to accuracy, calculations were made to explore and compare an expected yearly cost for two different assessment conditions, the NorSDSA followed by on-road assessment in uncertain cases and on-road assessment for all cases. Findings: The yearly need for driving assessments was estimated to 500 patients. With less accuracy than only on-road assessments the NorSDSA with the stipulated cut-off produced a cost benefit of 1,700 €. The NorSDSA resulted in 32% uncertain cases and the certain cases were in 17% in disagreement with the on-road assessment, the gold standard. Conclusion: It is conceivable and could be recommended to make on-road assessments for all patients with stroke at 3 months follow-up as accuracy is of importance both for patients and society and may save resources in the long run

Can rehabilitation in the home setting reduce the burden of care for the next-of-kin of stroke victims?

BACKGROUND: More evidence of the efficacy of caregiver interventions is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether counselling in the home setting reduces the caregiver burden. METHODS: Thirty-six patients after stroke, median age 53 years, with a close family member, were selected for an evaluation of the burden of care and 35 participated. They were part of a randomized controlled trial, comparing rehabilitation in the home setting with outpatient rehabilitation. In the home setting, counselling about the stroke and its consequences was included. Assessments with the Caregiver Burden scale were made at 3 weeks, 3 months and one year after discharge. RESULTS: The burden of the 2 groups did not differ. After the intervention, there was a tendency to a lower burden for the home setting. The burden for the home setting was then unchanged from 3 weeks to 1 year, while outpatient rehabilitation showed a reduced burden over time. For the home setting, significant correlations to activity level were seen after the intervention. CONCLUSION: A positive effect of counselling was seen, as the home setting burden tends to be lower after the intervention, while outpatient rehabilitation seems to adjust with time. The results suggest that counselling reduces burden and the remaining burden is associated with the patient's ability

Factors affecting participation after traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to explore the extent to which social, cognitive, emotional and physical aspects influence participation after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN/SUBJECTS: An explorative study of the patient perspective of participation 4 years after TBI. The cohort consisted of all patients (age range 18-65 years), presenting in 1999-2000, admitted to the hospital (n = 129). Sixty-three patients responded; 46 males and 17 females, mean age 41 (range 19-60) years. METHODS: Four years after the injury, the European Brain Injury Questionnaire (EBIQ), EuroQol-5D, Swedish Stroke Register Questionnaire and Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA) questionnaire were sent to the sample. Data were analysed with logistic regression. RESULTS: On the EBIQ, 40% of the sample reported problems in most questions. According to IPA, between 20% and 40% did not perceive that they had a good participation. The analyses gave 5 predictors reflecting emotional and social aspects, which could explain up to 70% of the variation in participation. CONCLUSION: It is not easy to find single predictors, as there seems to be a close interaction between several aspects. Motor deficits appear to have smaller significance for participation in this late state, while emotional and social factors play a major role

Differences between men and women regarding their age, their pain severity, duration, persistency and location as well as regarding their sick-leave-time.

<p>Differences between men and women regarding their age, their pain severity, duration, persistency and location as well as regarding their sick-leave-time.</p

Percentages and differences between men and women in respect to their sociodemographic data and presence of widespread pain.

<p>Percentages and differences between men and women in respect to their sociodemographic data and presence of widespread pain.</p