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THE EFFECTS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY-BASED TRAINING AND INVOLVEMENT OF INFORMAL CAREGIVERS (ICGS) ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS OF STROKE SURVIVORS
Abstract
Background and Aims
Background and aims: Informal caregivers (ICGs) often lack knowledge and expertise to give required care. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine the effects of physiotherapy-based training and involvement of informal caregivers on physical functions of stroke survivors (SSs).
Methods
Methods: 71 dyads of IGCs and SSs, which is 142 participants, comprising 39 dyads in the study group (STG) and 32 dyads in the control group (CTG) completed the study. All ICGs in the STG had a structured training aimed at improving their care giving at home; The ICGs in the CTG had no structured training and were not involved in decision making for their care recipients. All the SSs in both groups received conventional physiotherapy. Barthel Index (BI) was used to evaluate the SSs at baseline and after the 12thweek of study. Statistical analyses involved t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Multivariate Regression. The level of significance was p˂ 0.05.
Results
Results: The most affected side of the body was the right side (53.5%): There was a higher significant change (p=0.001) in the BI score of the STG than that of the CTG. There was a positive relationship between age of ICGs and the scores of the SSs on the BI (ρ= 0.422), there was a significant relationship between the SSs’ BI score and ICGs’ relationship as spouse, in the combination of both groups (B= -23.906, p-value= 0.027).
Conclusions
Conclusions: Physiotherapy-based training and involvement of ICGs had significant effects on physical function of SSs.