Family support benefits caregivers but has no impact on stroke sufferers
- Langhorne, Dr Peter
BACKGROUND
Stroke has major psychosocial impacts on sufferers' families. The United Kingdom Stroke Association provides family support through home and hospital visits; information leaflets; setting up local support groups; and telephone follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of Stroke Association family support on stroke sufferers and their caregivers.
SETTING
Oxford, England; August 1995-February 1998.
METHOD
Randomised controlled trial.
LITERATURE REVIEW
No explicit strategy; 32 references.
PARTICIPANTS
Three hundred and twenty-three adults (age 18 +) admitted to hospital with acute stroke; 267 of their caregivers.
INTERVENTION
Within 6 weeks of hospital admission for stroke, families were assigned to routine care or family support, the content of which differed according to individual needs.
OUTCOMES
Carers and stroke sufferers' knowledge about stroke; anxiety and strain; general health; satisfaction assessed using standardised scales at 6 months follow-up.
MAIN RESULTS
Carers in the treatment group had better stroke knowledge perceptions; mental health; energy; general health perception; quality of life and physical functioning (P all < 0.05). There was no difference between stroke patient groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Family support is beneficial for carers, but has no impact on stroke sufferers.