Development of a Model for Stroke Rehabilitation in Chaiyaphum Province - การพัฒนารูปแบบการฟื้นฟูสภาพ ผู้ป่วยโรคหลอดเลือดสมอง จังหวัดชัยภูมิ

Abstract

        The number of patients with stroke is increasing. It is a major cause of disability. Chaiyaphum Hospital has treated over 1,300 patients diagnosed with stroke annually. Among them, approximately 3% are re-admitted with preventable complications. Currently, the case follow-up system has a delay in providing patient information to healthcare providers; and, as a result, patients do not receive continuous and suitable rehabilitation services. The objective of this study was to examine a new model for stroke rehabilitation in Chaiyaphum province. It was conducted as a quasi-experimental study: pre and post study design. Each patient received rehabilitation tools such as a 0.5 kilogram sand bag, a set of pulley, Thera band, a small ball for hand exercise and a walking belt. Within 3 months after hospital discharge they were visited for rehabilitation services every 2 weeks by physical therapists. There were 52 cases of new stroke patients in this study. It was found that the stroke severity as assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke scale (NIHSS) declined from 9.44 ± 0.85 to 1.62 ± 0.34. Activities of daily living (ADL) as assessed by Barthel Index (BI) increased from 35.67 ± 2.84 to 94.13 ± 1.56. Most patients were able to walk independently within 3 months. Thus, this new stroke rehabilitation model has a potential to improve rehabilitation of patients in post stroke period.
Key words: rehabilitation, disability, stroke