Evaluation of a stroke family care worker: results of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of contact with a stroke family care worker on the physical, social, and psychological status of stroke patients and their carers. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with broad entry criteria and blinded outcome assessment six months after randomisation. SETTING: A well organised stroke service in an Edinburgh teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: 417 patients with an acute stroke in the previous 30 days randomly allocated to be contacted by a stroke family care worker (210) or to receive standard care (207). The patients represented 67% of all stroke patients assessed at the hospital during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient completed Barthel index, Frenchay activities index, general health questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression scale, social adjustment scale, mental adjustment to stroke scale, and patient satisfaction questionnaire; carer completed Frenchay activities index, general health questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression scale, social adjustment scale, caregiving bassles scale, and carer satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: The groups were balanced for all important baseline variables. There were no significant differences in physical outcomes in patients or carers, though patients in the treatment group were possibly more helpless less well adjusted socially, and more depressed, whereas carers in the treatment group were possibly less hassled and anxious. However, both patients and carers in the group contacted by the stroke family care worker expressed significantly greater satisfaction with certain aspects of their care, in particular those related to communication and support. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a stroke family care worker improved patients'' and their carers'' satisfaction with services and may have had some effect on psychological and social outcomes but did not improve measures of patients'' physical wellbeing.     

The Bradford community stroke trial: results at six months.

OBJECTIVE--Comparison of day hospital attendance and home physiotherapy for stroke patients leaving hospital to determine which service produces greater functional and social improvement for the patient, reduces emotional stress for the care giver, and lessens the need for community support. DESIGN--Stratified, randomised trial of stroke patients attending day hospital two days a week or receiving home treatment from a community physiotherapist. The six month assessment results are reported in this paper. SUBJECTS--Patients over 60 years old resident within the Bradford metropolitan district discharged home after a new stroke with residual disability. SETTING--Four day hospitals in two health authorities and domiciliary work undertaken by experienced community physiotherapists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Barthel index, functional ambulatory categories, Motor Club assessment, Frenchay activities index, and Nottingham health profile were used. Carers'' stress was indicated by the general health questionnaire. Treatment given and community care provided were recorded. RESULTS--Of 124 patients recruited, 108 were available for reassessment at six months. Both treatment groups had significantly improved in functional abilities between discharge and six months. The improvements were significantly greater for patients treated at home (Mann-Whitney test; Barthel index, median difference 2 (95% confidence interval 0 to 3) p = 0.01; Motor Club assessment, median difference 2 (1 to 5), p = 0.01). The home treated patients received less treatment (median difference 16 (11 to 21) treatments, p less than 0.001). More than a third of patients in both groups showed depressed mood, and a quarter of care givers were emotionally distressed. CONCLUSIONS--Home physiotherapy seems to be slightly more effective and more resource efficient than day hospital attendance and should be the preferred rehabilitation method for aftercare of stroke patients. New strategies are needed to address psychosocial function for both patients and care givers.     

Randomised controlled trial to evaluate early discharge scheme for patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effectiveness of an early discharge policy for patients with stroke by using a community based rehabilitation team. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial to compare conventional care with an early discharge policy. SETTING: Two teaching hospitals in inner London. SUBJECTS: 331 medically stable patients with stroke (mean age 71) who lived alone and were able to transfer independently or who lived with a resident carer and were able to transfer with help. INTERVENTIONS: 167 patients received specialist community rehabilitation for up to 3 months after randomisation. 164 patients continued with conventional hospital and community care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Barthel score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes measured impairment with motoricity index, minimental state examination, and Frenchay aphasia screening test; disability with the Rivermead activity of daily living scales, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and 5 m walk; handicap with the Nottingham health profile; carer stress with caregiver strain index and patient and carer satisfaction. The main process measure was length of stay after randomisation. RESULTS: One year after randomisation no significant differences in clinical outcomes were found apart from increased satisfaction with hospital care in the community therapy group. Length of stay after randomisation in the community therapy group was significantly reduced (12 v 18 days; P < 0.0001). Patients with impairments were more likely to receive treatment in the community therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Early discharge with specialist community rehabilitation after stroke is feasible, as clinically effective as conventional care, and acceptable to patients. Considerable reductions in use of hospital beds are achievable.     

Physiotherapy intervention late after stroke and mobility.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether the intervention of a physiotherapist improved mobility in patients seen more than one year after stroke. DESIGN--Randomised crossover trial comparing two groups offered intervention by a physiotherapist, one immediately after entry into the trial and the other after a delay of three months. The intervention consisted of identifying problems and offering advice and help to solve the problems. SETTING--Patients'' homes in Oxfordshire. SUBJECTS--Patients who had reduced mobility due to a stroke more than one year before entry; 60 were recruited from a community stroke register and 34 in other ways. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Standard measures of mobility including gait speed, functional ambulation categories, the Nottingham extended activities of daily living index, and individual items from the Barthel activities of daily living index and the Frenchay activities index. Measures of manual dexterity, depression, and anxiety were used as controls. RESULTS--94 patients entered the trial and 49 were randomised to immediate and 45 to delayed physiotherapy; 89 were compared at the crossover point. At randomisation the two groups were comparable. At three months the group given early therapy showed an improvement in gait speed whereas the untreated group had declined (differences of -3.9 v 6.4 s to walk 10 m; p less than 0.01); between three and six months the group given delayed therapy showed improvement and the previously treated group declined (differences of 6.5 v -3.9 s to walk 10 m; p less than 0.01). A 9% (95% confidence interval 0% to 18%) decrease in time taken to walk 10 m was associated with treatment and a 12% (2% to 19%) increase when patients were untreated. Other measures did not change significantly. CONCLUSION--Intervention of an experienced physiotherapist late after stroke specifically improves mobility, albeit by a small amount, but the effects do not seem to be maintained, perhaps because there is an underlying decline in mobility in these patients. Gait speed offers a simple and sensitive measure of outcome.     

心理干预对脑卒中抑郁焦虑情绪的康复作用及对患者治疗依从性的影响研究

目的:探讨心理干预对脑卒中抑郁焦虑情绪的康复作用及对患者治疗依从性的影响。方法:我院老年科、神经内科、康复医学科治疗的脑卒中并出现抑郁焦虑情绪障碍的患者120例,随机分为观察组和对照组,各60例,两组患者均入院以后给予脑血管药物进行常规治疗和日常功能训练;观察组同时给予心理干预并根据病情应用抗抑郁抗焦虑药物等。于干预前、干预后3个月、6个月、1年分别对两组患者用SCL-90量表、总体幸福感指数量表、Barthel指数量表对患者进行评估,并评估患者治疗依从性。结果:干预后,观察组SCL-90各因子评分及总分均较干预前明显降低(P0.05),对照组SCL-90各因子评分及总分与干预前比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。干预前两组患者总体幸福感评分和Barthel评分比较无统计学差异(P0.05),干预后3个月、6个月和1年观察组总体幸福感评分和Barthel评分均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者在治疗期间总体依从率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:心理干预能够有效的改善脑卒中患者早期康复病人抑郁和焦虑的情绪,提高患者治疗的依从性。     

The Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) to enhance psychosocial health: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of disability and distress, and often profoundly affects the quality of life of stroke survivors and their carers. With the support of carers, many stroke survivors are returning to live in the community despite the presence of disability and ongoing challenges. The sudden and catastrophic changes caused by stroke affects the mental, emotional and social health of both stroke survivors and carers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate, support and improve the psychosocial health of stroke survivors and their carers.MethodsThis study is a prospective randomised controlled trial. It will include a total of 168 stroke survivors and carers randomly allocated into an intervention group (SCOHP) or a control group (usual care). Participants randomised to the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster) sessions guided by a structured workbook. The primary outcome measures for stroke survivors and carers will be health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D) and self-efficacy (GSE). Secondary outcome measures will include: anxiety and depression (HADS); coping (Brief COPE); work and social adjustment (WSAS); carer strain (MCSI); carer satisfaction (CASI); and treatment evaluation (TEI-SF and CEQ). Process evaluation and a health economic cost analysis will also be conducted.DiscussionWe believe that this is an innovative intervention that engages the stroke survivor and carer and will be significant in improving the psychosocial health, increasing independence and reducing treatment-related costs in this vulnerable patient-carer dyad. In addition, we expect that the intervention will assist carers and stroke survivors to negotiate the complexity of health services across the trajectory of care and provide practical skills to improve self-management.

Trial registration

ACTRN12615001046594. Registered on 7 October 2015.     

Effects of living with and looking after survivors of a stroke.

Information from a two year, longitudinal study on a community sample of patients with acute stroke was analysed to determine the effects of the stroke on the mood of the chief carer (the person living with the patient). Increased anxiety was the most commonly reported change six months after stroke. Significant depression was seen in 11-13% of carers over the first two years after stroke. The patient''s functional disability was associated with depression in the carer over the first year but not at two years. A perceived poor recovery by the patient, a low level of general activities by the patient, and depression in the patient were also associated with depression in the carer within the first year. At two years after stroke none of the measured factors were related to a carer''s level of depression. Carers of patients who have suffered stroke showed anxiety and emotional distress unrelated to the patient''s physical disability after two years. More help from stroke support groups for carers is perhaps needed.     

丹参多酚酮酸盐对老年急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清hs-CRP、血液流变学及神经功能的影响

目的:观察丹参多酚酮酸盐对老年急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血液流变学及神经功能的影响。方法:将98例老年急性缺血性脑卒中患者随机分观察组(n=49例)和对照组(n=49例),对照组给以西医常规治疗,观察组在常规治疗的基础上加用丹参多酚酮酸盐治疗,两组均治疗2周;记录两组治疗前后的血液流变学相关指标、血清hs-CRP、分析NIHSS评分与Barthel指数评分的变化。结果:治疗2周后,观察组血浆黏度、全血黏度高切、全血黏度低切、红细胞比积均低于对照组(P0.05),其降低的幅度亦低于对照组(P0.05);观察组治疗后1周、2周血清hs-CRP水平、白细胞计数(WBC)、NIHSS评分明显低于对照组,而Barthel指数评分高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:丹参多酚酮酸盐能够有效降低急性缺血性脑卒中患者炎症水平、调节患者血液流变学指标、从而改善神经功能,有利于卒中患者的预后。     

Quality of life of patients after stroke in county Osijek-Baranya

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine quality of life of patients after stroke in Osijek-Baranya County. The research included 161 patients (82 men and 79 women) who had their first acute stroke and were treated at Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital Center The Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess functional deficiency and SS-QOL (Stroke-Specific Quality of Life) questionnaire was used for self-evaluation of patients' physical and mental health. The first assessment was carried out in the acute phase of the disease, and control assessments 30, 90 and 180 days after the stroke. Mean Barthel Index score was higher at every successive measurement (55, 80, 95, 95). All BI items were statistically significant (Friedman, p < 0.001) apart from dressing and bowel control. BI score indicated greater dependence in women in all assessments except for those taken 90 days after onset of symptoms (chi2-test, p = 0.111). Mean values of SS-QOL for physical health were: 105.2, 98.3, 105.7, 117.5 and for mental health: 64.24, 57.9, 64.3, 68.1. Statistically significant difference was present in men, both for physical health (Friedman p = 0.009) and total SS-QOL (Friedman p = 0.014), while in women there was no statistically significant difference between the measurements (Friedman p = 0.719). The research showed that stroke has significant influence on basic and specific daily life activities and interferes with the quality of life of stroke patients. Women have lower level of independence. Patients who live with their families make better evaluation of their physical and mental health.     

卒中后抑郁与血清炎性细胞因子水平及神经功能损害的相关性分析

目的：探讨急性脑梗死患者不同时间卒中后抑郁（PSD）发病与血清炎性细胞因子水平、神经功能缺损、日常生活能力的相关性。方法：用Hamilton抑郁量表（HDRS）筛查280例符合条件的急性脑梗死患者急性期与恢复期PSD的发病情况,并同时测定血清炎性细胞因子hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6的水平,NIHSS评分进行神经功能缺损评估,Barthel指数进行日常生活能力的评估,分析PSD的发生与各因素之间的相关性,采用多因素logistic回归分析进行危险因素分析。结果：脑梗死恢复期PSD的发病率高于急性期,但无明显差异。急性期PSD组血清炎性细胞因子水平高于非PSD组,有显著性差异,而急性期、恢复期神经功能缺损和日常生活能力与非PSD组比较均有显著性差异;急性期血清TNF-α、IL-6和Barthel指数,恢复期NIHSS评分、Barthel指数与PSD发生的OR值分别1.765、1.646、1.817、1.188、2.015。结论：PSD的发病机制在病程的不同时间可能存在着差异,急性期血清升高的炎性细胞因子水平和降低的日常生活能力,恢复期神经功能缺损的程度和降低的日常生活能力是不同时间PSD发病的危险因素。     

天麻钩藤饮加减治疗对脑梗死恢复期患者脑血流动力学、氧化应激和神经细胞因子的影响

摘要 目的：探讨天麻钩藤饮加减治疗对脑梗死恢复期患者脑血流动力学、氧化应激和神经细胞因子的影响。方法：选取2020年4月~2022年12月期间于天津中医药大学第二附属医院治疗的108例脑梗死恢复期患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组和联合组,各为54例。对照组患者接受常规治疗,联合组在对照组基础上接受天麻钩藤饮加减治疗。对比两组中医证候评分、脑血流动力学、Barthel指数评分、氧化应激指标、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分、神经细胞因子。结果：与对照组治疗2个月后相比,联合组偏身麻木、半身不遂、舌强言蹇、头晕头痛、面红目赤、口苦口干等症状评分更低（P<0.05）。与对照组治疗2个月后相比,联合组NIHSS评分更低,Barthel指数评分更高（P<0.05）。与对照组治疗2个月后相比,联合组搏动指数（PI）更低,平均血流速度值（Vm）、收缩期血流速度峰值（Vs）更高（P<0.05）。与对照组治疗2个月后相比,联合组丙二醛（MDA）更低,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）更高（P<0.05）。与对照组治疗2个月后相比,联合组髓磷脂碱性蛋白（MBP）更低,神经生长因子（NGF）、脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）更高（P<0.05）。结论：天麻钩藤饮加减治疗脑梗死恢复期患者,可促进患者临床症状好转,降低神经功能损伤,改善脑血流动力学,减轻氧化应激,改善神经细胞因子分泌,提高生活自理能力。     

血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中相关分析

目的:研究血尿酸水平与缺血性卒中的相关性。方法:选择缺血性卒中患者(病例组)100例和健康体检者(对照组)100例,分别测定空腹血尿酸(UA)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C),并对病例组进行颈部动脉超声检查、NIHSS评分、BI指数计算。比较两组尿酸水平及病例组不同血尿酸水平下UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C的指标变化及NIHSS评分、BI指数、颈部血管斑块形成率的差别。结果:病例组和对照组空腹血尿酸升高的例数,分别为46例和17例,分别占46%和17%;血尿酸平均浓度分别为485.96±76.03(μmoL/L)和343.12±61.46(μmoL/L),差异有统计学意义。病例组尿酸结果明显高于对照组,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01);病例组UA、TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C水平较正常对照组差异有显著意义(P<0.05)。对病例组血尿酸水平,颈部血管超声结果、NIHSS评分、BI指数进行分析。病例组患者血尿酸水平与病情及预后有平行关系,即血尿酸水平高,颈部血管斑块形成率高,病情重,预后差。结论:高尿酸血症(HUA)是缺血性卒中重要的危险因素,是防治缺血性卒中的综合因素之一。     

上肢康复机器人联合等速肌力训练对脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者的康复效果研究

摘要 目的：探讨等速肌力训练联合上肢康复机器人在脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者中的应用效果。方法：根据随机数字表法,将2020年1月-2022年12月期间合肥市第二人民医院收治的136例脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者分为对照组（n=68,等速肌力训练）与观察组（n=68,等速肌力训练联合上肢康复机器人干预）。两组均干预3周,观察两组Fugl-Meyer上肢运动功能量表（FMA-UL）评分、改良Barthel指数（MBI）评分、偏瘫Brunnstrom分级、表面肌电图相关指标和生活质量评分变化情况。结果：观察组干预3周后FMA-UL、MBI评分高于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组干预3周后IV级患者例数多于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组干预3周后肱二头肌、肱三头肌、三角肌前束、三角肌中束的均方根值（RMS）和积分肌电值（iEMG）高于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组干预3周后生理职能、躯体疼痛、生理功能、总体健康、精神健康、活力、情感职能、社会功能各维度评分高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：脑卒中恢复期偏瘫患者经等速肌力训练、上肢康复机器人联合干预,可促进偏瘫上肢肌肉激活和运动单位募集同步化,改善上肢肌力,提高患者的生活质量。     

温针灸联合中药湿热敷治疗脑中风后肢体痉挛的疗效及对患者肢体运动、日常活动能力的影响

目的:研究温针灸联合中药湿热敷治疗脑中风后肢体痉挛的疗效及对患者肢体运动、日常活动功能的影响。方法:选取2017年3月到2018年4月在长春中医药大学附属医院接受脑中风后肢体痉挛治疗患者60例,按照随机数字表法将所有患者分为观察组和对照组各30例,对照组在常规处理的基础上给予温针灸治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上给予中药湿热敷治疗,采用改良Ashworth量表对比患者治疗前后肢体痉挛改善程度,通过Barthel指数评分对比患者治疗前后的日常活动能力,采用Fugl-Meyer评分对两组患者肢体运动能力进行评定。结果:两组治疗15 d和治疗30 d后的上、下肢体痉挛评分与治疗前比较均明显降低,Fugl-Meyer评分与治疗前比较均明显升高(P0.05),且治疗30 d后Fugl-Meyer评分与治疗15 d比较明显升高(P0.05)。治疗15 d、治疗30 d后,观察组上、下肢体痉挛评分均明显低于对照组,Fugl-Meyer评分均高于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗30 d后Barthel指数评分较治疗前均有上升,且观察组评分显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:温针灸联合中药湿热敷治疗对脑中风后肢体痉挛有较好的疗效,能有效恢复患者脑中风后肢体运动功能,改善患者日常活动能力。     

Impacto de una intervención multidimensional en pacientes ≥ 65 años tras un ingreso por neumonía: estudio aleatorizado

IntroductionThe main objective of this study is to determine whether a multidimensional intervention applied to elderly patients admitted to hospital due to pneumonia reduces re-admissions and emergency department visits in the year after the intervention.MethodologyThis is a single-centre non-pharmacological randomised clinical trial with a parallel design. Three hundred and fourteen patients will be included (157 in each arm). Eligible patients will be ≥ 65 years old and with a Barthel index ≥ 60 that are admitted to hospital due to pneumonia. Participants will be randomised to multidimensional intervention or to control group. Two months after hospital discharge the intervention group will receive a geriatric intervention, carried out by a nurse and a physician. It will include assessment of co-morbidities, nutritional, functional and cognitive status, and immunisation. The control group will receive conventional follow-up. The number of re-admissions, visits to the emergency department, functional status, survival, and institutionalisation will be evaluated one year after intervention.If the intervention shows an improvement in the studied outcomes, it would allow us to improve individual outcomes, and indirectly reduce healthcare costs using a relatively simple, standardised tool.     

Participation in Complex and Social Everyday Activities Six Years after Stroke: Predictors for Return to Pre-Stroke Level

Background

Long-term disability following stroke can lead to participation restrictions in complex and social everyday activities, yet information is lacking on to what extent stroke survivors return to their pre-stroke levels of participation.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of participation in complex and social everyday activities 6 years after stroke, to compare this with pre-stroke participation and to identify predictors of returning to pre-stroke levels of participation.

Method

All patients admitted to Karolinska University Hospital''s stroke units during a 1-year period were eligible to participate and 349 patients were recruited. Assessments were made at base-line, 3 months and 6 years using self-reported outcome measures. Participation was assessed using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). The 6-year score for each participant was compared to the pre-stroke score, both for the total score and for each domain (domestic chores, leisure/work and outdoor activities). Predictors of having the same or better level of participation at 6 years were identified using logistic regression.

Results

At 6 years, 121 participants were followed up, 166 were deceased, 44 declined to take part and 18 could not be traced. At 6 years 84% could be described as active (FAI≥15). The same level of participation or better than pre-stroke was found in 35% of participants, in 65% the level was lower. Similar predictors were identified for achieving the same or better level of participation at 6 years for FAI total and the three domains; ability to walk without aids and a lower age at stroke onset, and perceived mobility, participation and recovery at 3 months.

Conclusion

Six years after stroke, 35% of participants had the same or better level of participation as pre-stroke. Rehabilitation after stroke to improve walking ability and participation might improve long-term participation in complex and social everyday activities.     

Facilitating care of patients with HIV infection by hospital and primary care teams.

To complement the role of primary care teams working with patients with HIV disease and AIDS within greater London and to ease the load on the special hospital units a home support team was developed. It comprises six specialist nurses, a general practitioner trained medical officer, and a receptionist and is funded from regional and district sources and charities. A nurse is available for out of hours and emergency weekend calls, with support from the patient''s general practitioner or the attached medical officer. During the first 18 months 249 patients were seen; the mean duration of care was five months. Nearly a third (18/50, 30%) of patients who were terminally ill died at home. The team''s activities included practical nursing care, emotional support for carers and patients, and advice and guidance to primary care teams. Problems in providing care in patients'' homes included issues relating to confidentiality and 24 hour cover. With the increasing incidence of HIV infection the home support team may be a useful model for care of large numbers of patients with symptomatic HIV disease, especially in large urban areas.     

Effect of a training programme to reduce stress in carers of patients with dementia.

OBJECTIVE--To reduce the psychological stress and improve the skills in coping of people who care for relatives with dementia. DESIGN--Assessment and suitability of carers by questionnaire; assessment of patients and carers in a hospital outpatient clinic; allocation to groups according to date of application to study. Linkage of groups of four carers and programme coordinator by telephone conference calls over 12 months after programmes. Reassessment at three, six, 12, and, for those in the "wait list" group, 18 months. SETTING--The programmes were conducted in the psychiatry unit of a Sydney teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--Eligible patients were less than 80 years old, had mild to moderate dementia, and lived at home with their carer. Of the 96 patient-carer pairs in the study, 33 were in the dementia carers'' programme group, 31 were in the memory retraining group, and 32 were in the wait list group. INTERVENTIONS--Carers in the dementia carers'' programme received training in coping with the difficulties of looking after patients with dementia while the patients had sessions in subjects such as memory retraining. In the memory retraining programme patients were admitted and received the patient component of the carers'' programme while their carers had 10 days'' respite. In the wait list group carers waited six months before undertaking the carers'' programme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Effect of the programmes on carers'' general health questionnaire scores and the rate of placement of patients in institutions. RESULTS--At 12 months'' follow up the carers'' programme had resulted in significantly lower psychological stress among carers than the memory retraining programme (mean (SD) general health questionnaire scores at 0 months were 6.31 (6.23) and 3.60 (6.25) respectively, and at 12 months were 4.69 (5.58) and 7.40 (9.39); p less than 0.05.) In the wait list group distress scores remained stable, even after the carers and patients had undertaken the carers'' programme. Patients deteriorated over 12 months regardless of group allocation, but at 30 months, allowing for patients who died and could not be included in the analysis, 65% of patients in the carers'' programme group were still living at home compared with 26% in the memory retraining programme group. CONCLUSION--The intensive intervention programme described for carers of patients with dementia can reduce the psychological morbidity of the carer and delay the placement of the patient in an institution without increasing the use of health services by either patient or carer.     

Randomised controlled trial of effects of coordinating care for terminally ill cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES--To measure effects on terminally ill cancer patients and their families of coordinating the services available within the NHS and from local authorities and the voluntary sector. DESIGN--Randomised controlled trial. SETTING--Inner London health district. PATIENTS--Cancer patients were routinely notified from 1987 to 1990. 554 patients expected to survive less than one year entered the trial and were randomly allocated to a coordination or a control group. INTERVENTION--All patients received routinely available services. Coordination group patients received the assistance of two nurse coordinators, whose role was to ensure that patients received appropriate and well coordinated services, tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Patients and carers were interviewed at home on entry to the trial and at intervals until death. Interviews after bereavement were also conducted. Outcome measures included the presence and severity of physical symptoms, psychiatric morbidity, use of and satisfaction with services, and carers'' problems. Results from the baseline interview, the interview closest to death, and the interview after bereavement were analysed. RESULTS--Few differences between groups were significant. Coordination group patients were less likely to suffer from vomiting, were more likely to report effective treatment for it, and less likely to be concerned about having an itchy skin. Their carers were more likely to report that in the last week of life the patient had had a cough and had had effective treatment for constipation, and they were less likely to rate the patient''s difficulty swallowing as severe or to report effective treatment for anxiety. Coordination group patients were more likely to have seen a chiropodist and their carers were more likely to contact a specialist nurse in a night time emergency. These carers were less likely to feel angry about the death of the patient. CONCLUSIONS--This coordinating service made little difference to patient or family outcomes, perhaps because the service did not have a budget with which it could obtain services or because the professional skills of the nurse-coordinators may have conflicted with the requirements of the coordinating role.     

Evidence of unmet need in the care of severely physically disabled adults.

OBJECTIVE--To identify unmet needs in the care of severely disabled people aged 16-64. DESIGN--Detailed personal interview and physical assessment of physically disabled adults; personal or telephone interview with carers. SETTING--Somerset Health District. SUBJECTS--181 severely disabled adults and their carers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Independence in activities of daily living; identity of requirements for assessing communication disorders; appropriate provision of services and allowances. RESULTS--53 (29.3%) of the 181 disabled subjects had unmet needs for aids to allow independence in activities of daily living-namely, 43% of subjects (41/95) with progressive disorders and 14% of subjects (12/86) with non-progressive disorders. The prevalence of unmet need was higher among subjects whose sole regular professional contact was with health services personnel (48 (40.3%) of 119 subjects). Only 18 (31.6%) of the 57 subjects with communication disorders had ever been assessed by a speech therapist. CONCLUSIONS--This study shows that the needs of severely physically disabled adults in the community--especially those with progressive disorders--are being monitored inadequately by health professionals.