Effects of Bobath-based therapy on depression, shoulder pain and health-related quality of life in patients after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effects of Bobath-based (BB) therapy on depression, shoulder pain and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients during one year after stroke.


METHODS
In a prospective, non-randomized design, the use of BB therapy was compared with a more task-oriented therapy and no BB therapy.


METHODS
A total of 324 patients in 12 hospitals.


METHODS
Patients in the intervention group received BB therapy, whereas patients in the control group received no BB therapy and a more task-oriented therapy. HRQoL was measured using the SF-36; depression was measured with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and shoulder pain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale at discharge, 6 and 12 months. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed.


RESULTS
No effects of BB therapy on HRQoL or shoulder pain were found. After one year fewer patients were depressed in the BB group (30%) than in the non-BB group (43%); the adjusted odds ratio was 0.6 (95% confidence interval 0.3-1.0).


CONCLUSIONS
BB therapy did not have any effect on HRQoL or shoulder pain in stroke patients. Healthcare professionals should reconsider the use of BB therapy in the care of stroke patients.
Hafsteinsdóttir
Thóra B
TB
Department of Neurology of Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neurosciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. t.hafsteinsdottir@umcutrecht.nl
Kappelle
Jaap
J
Grypdonck
Maria H F
MH
Algra
Ale
A
D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome