Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Many stroke survivors and their caregivers have limited resources or opportunities for engaging in exercise activities after discharge from hospital. Appropriate exercise prescription and patient education to improve functional status after discharge are major concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Structured Home Exercises on functional independence in stroke survivors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A randomized control trial in which 100 stroke patients who were 1–6 months after stroke onset were randomly assigned to intervention group (n = 43) and control group (n = 45). The activity level of the patients was assessed using modified barthel index (MBI) score at baseline and 12 weeks. Structured home-based exercise program was prescribed to the Intervention group. The patients receiving physiotherapy in outpatient physiotherapy facilities formed the control group. Both groups performed the exercises for 12 weeks.
RESULTS:
The results demonstrated that the MBI score of both the groups improved significantly after 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05) and no significant difference was seen in the improvement of the score between the two groups (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study indicate that the structured home exercise program can be considered an effective mode to continue patient care and improve function independence.