This study was quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design to investigate the effect of home rehabilitation exercise program on the physical and psychological functions of home stayed chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. The data were collected during the period of May 20th to August 15th, 2001.
The subjects for this study were 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with the experimental group consisting of 19 patients and the control group being composed of 21 patients. The patients selected for this study were; (a) living in J city who had been diagnosed with stroke and at home after being discharged from the hospital. (b) suffering from stroke for 6 months to 5 years. (c) without recognition disorder with the MMSE-K (Mini-Mental State Examination-K) score above 25, (d) below 2 on the modified Ashworth scale, (e) free from heart and pulmonary disease, (f) able to walk beyond 15 minutes for themselves, (g) not taking regular exercises.
The program for the experimental group provided 8 weeks´ home rehabilitation exercise, two times of group education during the first week and individual education and supportive care after the second week through home visiting and telephoning more than once a week. The amount of time spent on rehabilitation exercise by the experimental group was 35 to 50 minutes a day, three times a week.
In order to understand the effects of experimental the two groups were compared and verified by measuring the physical and psychological functions of both groups.
The data were analysed by x²-test, paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows:
1. In terms if physical variables: grip strength, lower extremity muscle strength, walking time, ADL and serum lipid levels.
1) There was no significant difference in the unaffected and affected grip strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected and affected grip strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group.
2) There was no signficant difference in the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. There was no significant difference either in the affected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the affected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group.
3) There was significant difference in walking time between the two groups. Walking time was significantly reduced in the experimental goup whereas it increased in the control group.
4) There was significant difference in ADL score between the two groups. ADL score was significantly increased in the experimental grou, but it signiicantly decreased in the control group.
5) There was significant difference in serum total cholesterol level between the two groups. After experiment the serum T-C level became lower in the experimental group whereas it became significantly higher in the control group.
2. In term of psychological variables: depression and self-esteem
1) There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups, even though the depression showed constant in the experimental group, but it showed a significant increase in the control group.
2) There was no significant difference in the self-esteem between the two groups, even though the self-esteem some increase in the experimental group, but it significant decrease in the control group.
As shown above, the results of 8 weeks´ home rehabilitation exercise program for chronic hemiplegic stroke patients produced positive effects on walking time, ADL score and serum T-C level, shortening walking time, improving activities of daily living (ADL) and lowering serum total cholesterol level.
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