title: Controlled trial of a home-care service for acute stroke patients.
abstract: In a controlled trial of a home-care service available for the first 6 months after acute stroke, 440 patients received the new service and 417 patients were in the control group. The trial group used more hospital bed days, had a slightly higher admission rate, and did not show better emotional adjustment to stroke than the control group. There was no difference between the 2 groups in stress on relatives. Functional recovery was equal in the 2 groups. A quarter of patients managed at home in each group were severely disabled. Providing a new service does not necessarily alter clinical decisions in the short term, and care should be taken before expanding domiciliary services to reduce hospital use.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Langton-Hewer
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Skilbeck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bainton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burns-Cox
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged