Study finds success in empowering stroke patients to take charge of their care
People who are cognizant of their cardiovascular health can buy Canadian Plavix in order to help prevent events such as stroke.
People who are cognizant of their cardiovascular health can buy Canadian Plavix in order to help prevent events such as stroke. For patients who already survived a stroke, rehabilitation can be a long and arduous process. However, research conducted in New Zealand suggests that empowering these individuals to take a more active role in their care may be a successful approach.
Scientists conducted a study that enrolled 172 stroke survivors of Maori or Pacific ancestry, two groups who have some of the worst outcomes for this condition. They were divided into four categories according to different regimens: an inspirational DVD, a "Take Charge" session, both of the previous treatments or a control group who received written educational materials.
The DVD featured Maori or Pacific stroke survivors talking about their recovery, while the Take Charge training session taught patients and their families about managing goals in self-care.
Results showed that on a physical health scale of 0 to 100, subjects who received either the DVD or training session scored seven and six points higher a year after beginning treatment. People in the latter group were also less likely to have a "slight disability," and their carers experienced less strain.
This study supports the concept of self-directed rehabilitation, which holds that giving patients more responsibility in their stroke care may improve their outcome, as published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation.
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