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Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Stroke maintenance exercise group: pilot study on daily functioning in long-term stroke survivors

Sarah A. Patterson A B , Benjamin M. Ross-Edwards A and Hannah L. Gill A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Community Integrated Rehabilitation Service, Logan Central Community Health, PO Box 240, Logan Central, Qld 4114, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: sarah_patterson@health.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 16(1) 93-97 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY09055
Published: 17 March 2010

Abstract

Typical models of stroke rehabilitation usually direct minimal resources for ongoing maintenance beyond discharge. However, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of community-based rehabilitation to maintain physical function and health in frail and disabled clients. A stroke maintenance exercise group was established to provide long-term care for stroke survivors. A pilot study was conducted to explore its effects compared with a traditional peer support group. Self-reported questionnaires, measuring daily task participation with the Home Functioning Questionnaire and quality of life with the EQ-5D, were utilised to compare twenty-two clients in the stroke maintenance exercise group and twenty-one in the peer support group. The results indicated that both these groups showed a significant increase with daily task participation over a 3-month period. However, no improvement was evident in either group on self-rated quality of life or health status, as measured by the EQ-5D. This pilot study suggests that both stroke maintenance exercise groups and peer support groups are effective with assisting long-term stroke survivors to improve participation in everyday activities. More research is recommended to further explore the long-term needs of this clinical group.

Additional keywords: cerebral vascular accident, outpatient care, rehabilitation.


Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Gail Hetherington, therapy assistant, for her assistance in data collation and the Queensland Health Community Integrated Rehabilitation Service at Logan Central Community Health Centre for their funding and support of this research.


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