| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial ‐ but unclear whether study was blinded or how treatment was randomised. |
| Participants |
128 patients with all types of stroke ‐ CP group 56, control group 72. However, 7 dropped out (CP 3, Control 4) so data analyses included only 53 patients in the CP group and 68 controls. |
| Interventions |
TREATMENT GROUP: critical path method from July 1987 to June 1988. Multidisciplinary care with pre‐defined therapeutic activities, short‐term goals and time projections. Critical path updated during each bi‐monthly multidisciplinary team meeting. CONTROL GROUP: multidisciplinary care with bi‐monthly multidisciplinary team meetings. Setting of discharge date but not patient‐oriented goals. |
| Outcomes |
Mean LOS (days): CP=35.6+/‐15.5 vs Control=32.3+/‐15.4. FIM at discharge: CP=80+/‐27.6 vs Control=84.9+/‐26.1. Mean patient satisfaction score: CP=7.7+/‐2.6 vs Control=8.8+/‐1.7. No difference in costs, institutionalisation on discharge, 12‐month survival, 12‐month hospitalisation or institutionalisation. |
| Notes |
Stroke rehabilitation. Both groups similar except CP group had slightly longer delay from onset to admission (CP=23.5 days vs Control=21.7 days). |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
