Specialist nurse support for patients with stroke in the community: a randomised controlled trial

摘要: Abstract Objective: To evaluate whether specialist nurse visits enhance the social integration and perceived health of patients with stroke or alleviate stress in carers longer term care. Design: Stratified randomised controlled trial; both groups assessed at time recruitment 3, 6, 12 months. Setting: Patients disability related to new who lived their own homes Bradford Metropolitan District. Subjects: 240 aged 60 years over, randomly allocated control group (n = 120) intervention 120). Intervention: Visits by outreach nurses over months provide information, advice, support; minimum six during first The received no visits. Main outcome measures: Barthel index (functional ability), Frenchay activities (social activity), Nottingham profile (perceived status). Stress among was indicated general questionnaire-28 (28 items). recorded interventions trial diaries. Results: There were significant differences health, activities, between treatment any assessments points. A subgroup mildly disabled (Barthel 15-19) had an improved (Frenchay index, median difference 3 (95% confidence interval 0 6; P 0.03)) for full follow up (analysis covariance 0.01) compared group. Conclusions: resulted a small improvement only patients. No proved strategy yet exists that can be recommended address psychosocial difficulties families. Key messages This using found seen one year two wellbeing reduction but increase reported families