BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of voluntary training with family participation in addition to conventional rehabilitation for stroke patients. METHODS/ DESIGN: The subjects were 49 first-time stroke patients with severe hemiplegia. They were divided into two groups: a family participation group, in which voluntary training was performed with family members (21 patients), and a nonfamily participation group, in which voluntary training was performed with a physical therapist (28 patients). The groups were compared by background, cognitive and physical function, postadmission course, and outcome. RESULTS: There were shortened lengths of stay and higher rates of home discharge in family participation group, but no differences in functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary training with family participation was effective in shortening the length of hospital stay and in improving the rate of home discharge in a convalescent rehabilitation ward.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of voluntary training with family participation in addition to conventional rehabilitation for strokepatients. METHODS/ DESIGN: The subjects were 49 first-time strokepatients with severe hemiplegia. They were divided into two groups: a family participation group, in which voluntary training was performed with family members (21 patients), and a nonfamily participation group, in which voluntary training was performed with a physical therapist (28 patients). The groups were compared by background, cognitive and physical function, postadmission course, and outcome. RESULTS: There were shortened lengths of stay and higher rates of home discharge in family participation group, but no differences in functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary training with family participation was effective in shortening the length of hospital stay and in improving the rate of home discharge in a convalescent rehabilitation ward.
Authors: Judith Dm Vloothuis; Marijn Mulder; Janne M Veerbeek; Manin Konijnenbelt; Johanna Ma Visser-Meily; Johannes Cf Ket; Gert Kwakkel; Erwin Eh van Wegen Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2016-12-21