A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of a support and education programme for spouses of people affected by stroke

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether a nurse-led support and education programme for spouses of patients affected by stroke improved the psychological health of the spouses.

Design: A longitudinal, open, randomized controlled trial.

Sample: One hundred spouses of stroke patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group.

Setting: The study was conducted in a hospital setting.

Intervention: The intervention consisted of six group meetings during six months, with a follow-up after further six months. Comparison between the intervention and the control groups was made at baseline, after six and 12 months using analysis with repeated measures.

Main measures: The Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale — Self-Affective for psychological health.

Results: No significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups concerning overall psychological health. However, a subanalysis revealed that those who participated more frequently in the group meetings (five or six times) had significantly stronger psychological health (P<0.05). Knowledge about stroke increased over time in both groups, but participants in the intervention group learned more (P = 0.041).

Conclusion: Encouraging participation in the group meetings of a support programme might have a positive effect on psychological health.

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