Comparison of Two Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Programs: A Follow-Up Study among Primary versus Specialized Health Care.
OBJECTIVE
To compare home-based rehabilitation (RITH) and standard outpatient rehabilitation in a hospital setting, in terms of improving the functional recovery and quality of life of stroke patients.


METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study in Andalusia (Spain).


METHODS
One hundred and forty-five patients completed the outcome data.


METHODS
Daily activities were measured by the Barthel index, Canadian Neurological Scale (to assess mental state), Tinetti scale (balance and gait), and Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36 to compare the quality of life).


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the clinical characteristics of patients in the initial measurement, except for age and mental state (younger and with greater neurological impairment in the hospital group). After physical therapy, both groups showed statistically significant improvements from baseline in each of the measures. These improvements were better in RITH patients than in the hospital patients on all functionality scales with a smaller number of sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
Home rehabilitation is at least as effective as the outpatient rehabilitation programs in a hospital setting, in terms of recovery of functionality in post-stroke patients. Overall quality of life is severely impaired in both groups, as stroke is a very disabling disease that radically affects patients' lives.
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería. Almería. Spain.
Remedios
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3416-2791
R
López-Liria
Complejo Hospitalario Torrecárdenas. Servicio Andaluz de Salud. Almería. Spain.
Francisco Antonio
FA
Vega-Ramírez
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería. Almería. Spain.
Patricia
P
Rocamora-Pérez
Department of Psychology, University of Almería. Almería. Spain.
José Manuel
JM
Aguilar-Parra
Department of Psychology, University of Almería. Almería. Spain.
David
D
Padilla-Góngora
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires