Mohamed Yousseri A. El-Senousey¹, Ashraf A. Aboelsafa¹, Yasser A. El-Heneedy¹,

Mohamed K. Khalil¹, Layla I. Kamel², Amany L. Abd-El-Aziz³

Departments of  Neuropsychiatry¹, Tanta University; Adult Nursing², Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University; Medical Surgical Nursing³, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University; Egypt

Background: Stroke is a major public health problem and a common disorder that produces a major burden on the society, largely through longstanding motor disability in the survivors. Patient education is a fundamental component in the rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients. Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of comprehensive training on ischemic stroke patients. Methods: The study included 60 right handed patients presented by ischemic stroke with left sided hemiplegia and their 60 caregivers (30 patients with their caregivers for the control group and 30 patients with their caregivers for the study group). Three tools were applied: Tool one including personal characteristics sheet. Tool two including Barthel’s Activity Daily Living Index (BADLI), Motoricity Index Scale (MIS), MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) and Crichton Royal Behavioral Rating Scale (CRBRS). Tool three including comprehensive training manual. Results: The most prevalent risk factors in patients of the control and study groups were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases and history of transient ischemic attacks. The BADLI showed significant improvement of the degree of independence in ADL in the study group compared to control group after one month of hospital discharge. The MIS showed significant progressive improvement of arm and leg function in the study group at different sessions of evaluation, as well as when compared to the control group after 48 hours of admission. The MMSE showed significant improvement in cognitive functions in the study group compared to control group after 48 hours of admission and before discharge. The CRBRS showed significant improvement of behavior in the study group compared to control group regarding feeding and mood scores after one month of hospital discharge. Conclusion: Education and training program for patients with left sided ischemic hemiplegia has a good impact on the short term outcome. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat Neurosurg.  2012; 49(3): 259-269]

Key Words: ischemic stroke, comprehensive training.