Follow-up services for stroke survivors after hospital discharge--a randomized control study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether follow-up services for stroke survivors could improve functional outcome and reduce readmission rate. In this paper results of functional outcome are reported.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial allocating patients to one of three different types of aftercare: (1) follow-up home visits by a physician, (2) physiotherapist instruction in the patient's home, or (3) standard aftercare.


METHODS
Stroke patients with persisting impairment and disability who, after completing inpatient rehabilitation, were discharged to their homes.


METHODS
Six months after discharge, functional outcome was assessed with Functional Quality of Movement, Barthel Index, Frenchay Activity Index and Index of Extended Activites of Daily Living.


RESULTS
One-hundred and fifty-five stroke patients were included in the study. Fifty-four received follow-up home visits by a physician, 53 were given instructions by a physiotherapist in their home and 48 received standard aftercare only. No statistically significant differences in functional outcome six months after discharge were demonstrated between the three groups. However, all measurements showed a tendency towards higher scores indicating better function in both interventions groups compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Follow-up services after stroke may be a way of improving functional outcome. The results of the present study should be evaluated in future trials. More research in this field is needed, especially studies of how to support stroke survivors to resume social and leisure activities.
Andersen
Hanne Elkjaer
HE
Center for Elder Research, University Hospital H:S Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark. hanneelkjaer@dadlnet.dk
Eriksen
Karen
K
Brown
Anne
A
Schultz-Larsen
Kirsten
K
Forchhammer
Birgitte Hysse
BH
D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors