Tailored stroke self-management interventions: maximizing physical abilities

Abstract

Abstract: Stroke is the leading cause of global long-term adult disability. Individuals post-stroke are inactive, even during rehabilitation, contributing to ongoing disability and risk of secondary health conditions. So, the engagement of stroke survivors in self-management has become an emerging priority because of the increased recognition of the chronic nature of stroke and its related disabling consequences and post-stroke sequela. A possible strategy to improve the effectiveness of self-management interventions is to understand how best to tailor self-management interventions to the needs and circumstances of each participant. Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored stroke self-management interventions on physical abilities. Subjects& Methods: A quasiexperimental design was used to fulfil the aim of the study. Subjects: A purposive sample of (120) post-stroke patients were recruited equally divided into study and control (60 patients each) both of groups receiving the routine hospital care (ultraviolet rays and range of motion exercise) Moreover, the study group receiving tailored stroke self-management interventions. Study setting: Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department of Minia University Hospital at Minia Governorate, Egypt. Tools of data gathering were; 1) Structured questionnaire for personal and medical data, 2) Barthel scale for the performance of activities of Daily Living (ADL) to detect physical abilities, 3) Ashworth scale for degree of spasticity to detect physical functions and 4) Patient's knowledge assessment sheet. Results: a significant improvement in physical abilities as well as physical functions in the study group than the control group at the 2 weeks and 12 weeks follow-up (p<0.001). Conclusion: The implementation of tailored stroke self-management interventions is effective in maximizing physical abilities. Recommendation: Rehabilitation nurses should be encouraged to incorporate tailored stroke self-management interventions to minimize post-stroke sequela.