Efficacy of Caregivers Training in Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors in Bangladesh: A Quasi-experimental Study

Background: A proper rehabilitation program may prevent post-stroke neurological, structural, and functional disabilities. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of caregiver training in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors and compare rehabilitation interventions done by the therapist. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 67 stroke survivors divided into group A (home-based exercise by family caregivers; n=33) and group B (hospital-based supervised exercise by a physiotherapist; n=34). Family caregivers were trained according to “The London Stroke Carers Training Course.” The functional independence measure (FIM) evaluated all patients after three months of physiotherapy. Results: The mean age of the participants in group A and group B were 56.85 ± 11.49 and 58.65 ± 16.92 years, respectively, where most of the patients in both groups were male. In group A, 17 (51.5%) participants had left-sided involvement, while in group B, 17 (50.0%) participants had left-sided involvement. There was no significant statistical difference in FIM between groups A and B at baseline (p=0.532). At three months, the mean FIM of the participants in group A (98.54 ± 11.85) was significantly higher than in group B (89.85 ± 8.15) (p=0.001). A quasi-significant difference was observed between the right (18.41 ± 9.37) and the left (23.42 ± 11.68) hemisphere involvement regarding mean improvement of FIM (p=0.057). Conclusion: Therapeutic approach provided by trained caregivers was found to be more effective and efficient than that done by a physiotherapist.