Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in Korea. Because of their sequelae, strokes are categorized as a sudden-onset. constant course chronic illness which needs continuous efforts for rehabilitation. Unfortunately. there are few community based rehabilitation program for post-stroke patients who stay at home. The authors developed a community based selp-help management program for post-stroke patients to enhance their rehabilitation process. The program consists of five sessions and each session contains health education. ROM exercise, ADL training, and stress management like foot reflexology. A professor and two graduate students of nursing college coordinated the program. To test the effects of the program we conducted a 5 week program to the 10 conveniently selected post-stroke patients who were living in Kang-buk district of Seoul. The Questionnaires about ADLs. IADLs, depression and life satisfaction were asked to the all subjects before and after progarm. The hand grisp power and muscle strength of four limbs were measured at the end of each sessions. The analysis of data revealed that the program was effective to increase the ADLs, IADLs, and muscle strength and to decrease the depression levels of subjects. However, there was no significant difference between pre and post hand grisp power and life satisfaction. Because the program was effective to improve the physical and psycholocial function of subjects, we suggest continual development and implementation of community based self-help management programs.
Activities of Daily Living ; Cause of Death ; Chronic Disease ; Depression* ; Extremities ; Foot ; Hand ; Health Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Massage ; Muscle Strength* ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Seoul ; Stroke