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  • Early discharge plus home based rehabilitation reduced length of initial hospital stay but did not improve health related quality of life in patients with acute stroke

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Early discharge plus home based rehabilitation reduced length of initial hospital stay but did not improve health related quality of life in patients with acute stroke

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.3.4.127

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    Anderson C, Rubenach S, Ni Mhurchu C, et al.Home or hospital for stroke rehabilitation? Results of a randomized controlled trial. I: health outcomes at 6 months.Stroke2000 May;31:1024–31OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    QUESTION: Does early discharge plus home based rehabilitation improve health related quality of life in patients with acute stroke?

    Design

    Randomised (allocation concealed), blinded (outcome assessor) controlled trial with follow up at 6 months.

    Setting

    2 affiliated acute care public teaching hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia.

    Patients

    86 patients (mean age 75 y, 56% men) with a clinical diagnosis of first ever or recurrent stroke (but not subarachnoid haemorrhage) who were medically stable and suitable for early discharge from hospital to community rehabilitation, had sufficient physical and cognitive function, and had a home environment suitable for simple modifications; the patient's general practitioner and the community rehabilitation team had to be available to provide care. Follow up at 6 months was 98%.

    Intervention

    42 patients were allocated to early discharge plus home based rehabilitation. Adaptations to the home and arrangements for care were organised so that discharge could occur within 48 hours of randomisation. Individually tailored treatment sessions were conducted in the patient's home. Self learning, adjustment to disability, and structured practice sessions between visits were encouraged. A community rehabilitation team, which included a full time coordinator, a rehabilitation consultant, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, speech therapists, and rehabilitation nurses, was contracted to provide care and met weekly to …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: South Australian Health Commission.

    • For correspondence: Professor C Anderson, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Fax +64 9 373 1710.