[Preliminary study on outcome assessment system of treatment of stroke].
OBJECTIVE
In order to scientifically reflect the real efficacy of TCM treatment and to preliminarily establish a definitely valid and reliable assessment system of stroke treatment, with multi-dimensional outcome assessment indexes, including efficacy evaluation system of conventional western medicine, syndrome evaluation criteria in TCM and quality of life assessment system.


METHODS
An integrative approach of cross-sectional survey and prospective follow-up was adopted. Two hundred and forty-five case-episodes of stroke patients were assessed by determining such parameters as nerve functional deficit scale, grading of total status of living ability, activity of daily living (ADL), TCM stroke criteria of diagnosing-treatment, TCM syndrome related symptoms/signs, Health Survey Questionnaire (Short form 36, SF-36), and index of quality of life (QOL), and their construction and relation were analyzed by such methods as multivariate relation, partial relation, linear regression, factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficients, and the responsiveness estimation.


RESULTS
The multi-dimensional assessment system of stroke treatment, containing 57 indexes with clarified constructions and classification, was created, and its validity and reliability confirmed after assessement. Various degrees of relationship were found between different TCM Syndromes and different domains of QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment system of stroke treatment preliminarily created has satisfied reliability and validity. It could be expected to reflect the real efficacy of TCM treatment more inclusive and accurate. TCM Syndrome indexes are considered to be the factor related to both domains of mental and physical health, particularly with the former, therefore, to improve the TCM Syndrome would imply improvement of the mental health, physical health and QOL of the patients.
Lai
Shi-long
SL
National Training Center for Design Measurement Evaluation in Clinicl Research, Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou 510405.
Guo
Xin-feng
XF
Liang
Wei-xiong
WX
D000368:Aged; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal