The Effects of a Family Participation Program in Cognitive Rehabilitation on the Functional Outcomes among Acute Stroke Patients: Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

The cognitive impairment, in addition to disability, was documented in stroke patients that might lead to dementia. Hence the proper cognitive program is important in the acute phase. This study is a quasi experimental research design aiming to evaluate the effect of the family participation program in cognitive rehabilitation on the functional outcomes. Fifty-five acute stroke patients were recruited to study. The study was conducted in a university hospital in Pathum Thani. The experimental group received the cognitive rehabilitation program designed based on Schepp’s family participation model by the investigator, whereas the control group received usual care by the nursing staff. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. The instruments used were the demographic questionnaire, MoCA test, and Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. The findings showed that the mean score of MoCA test for the experimental group significantly increased over that of the control group (p<0.001) and that before starting the program (p<0.001). The experimental group mean score of DAD increased significantly at 8 weeks over that from before starting the program (p<0.05), but not significantly at 4 weeks (p>0.05). Moreover, the experimental group mean score of DAD increased significantly over those in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively (p<0.05).The results demonstrated that the family participation program in cognitive rehabilitation could increase functional outcomes in acute stroke patients. Nurses and healthcare teams can apply this program to improve cognitive function and ADLs among acute stroke patients.