Training informal caregivers of patients with stroke improved patient and caregiver quality of life and reduced costs
Q In patients with stroke, does training caregivers in basic nursing tasks and facilitation of personal care techniques improve patient and caregiver outcomes and reduce costs?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
blinded {data collectors, outcome assessors, data analysts, and monitoring committee}*
Follow up period:
12 months after stroke onset.
Setting:
a stroke rehabilitation unit in London, UK.
Patients:
300 patients (median 76 y, 53% men) admitted to the stroke unit and their caregivers. Patients had to be independent in activities of daily living (ADL) before the stroke, medically and neurologically stable, and expected to return home with residual disability. Caregivers were defined as the main person (other than the health, social, or voluntary care provider) who helped with ADL and advocated for the patient; they could have no notable disability (Rankin score 0–2) and had to be …
