| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial. Randomisation in permuted blocks of 10 using random number tables, Allocation concealment method (blank opaque sealed envelopes. Blinded outcome assessor at 12 months. |
| Participants |
UK
43 patients
23 intervention
20 control
Mean age 74
42% male
Median Barthel Index score at baseline: intervention group 17 (IQR 7 ‐ 20); usual care 17 (IQR 8‐20)
Clinical definition of stroke
Patients recruited to study if stroke onset between January 1993 and July 1995 and living at home. |
| Interventions |
Home rehabilitation programme. The treatment team comprised of one senior physiotherapist with neurological training, one senior occupational therapist and one half‐time speech and language therapist with neurological training. The team were coordinated by a consultant. A weekly clinical meeting was held and chaired by the consultant. Each patient was assessed for home rehabilitation needs, aims were set and a therapy programme devised. The therapy programme involved a maximum of one daily visit from each therapist over a maximum period of three months. |
| Outcomes |
Outcomes were recorded at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months:
Primary Outcome:
Barthel Index
Secondary outcomes:
Rankin
Motricity Index
Mini‐Mental State Examination
Albert Test
Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test
Rivermead Activities of Daily Living Score
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
5‐metre timed walk
Nottingham Health Profile
Carers:
Caregiver Strain Index |
| Notes |
Although patients were recruited to this study over a period of 2.5 years from stroke onset, Kate Tilling (Trialist) was able to confirm that a large proportion of patients recruited to the trial were in fact recruited within 1 year of stroke onset and therefore met the review inclusion criteria.
Follow‐up period used in analyses 12 months |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A ‐ Adequate |
