Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the evidence base underlying self-management programmes
specific to stroke survivors. DATA SOURCES: Eleven electronic databases were
searched using combinations of keywords related to stroke and self-management.
Review methods: Studies involving adults with a clinical diagnosis of stroke,
which explored self-management interventions, were included. Study selection was
verified by two reviewers who independently conducted methodological quality
appraisal and data extraction using a tool developed by The American Academy for
Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included
in this review. Significant treatment effects in favour of the self-management
intervention were found in six out of nine randomized controlled trials, and
three out of six non-randomized trials in our review. Four randomized controlled
trials involving more than 100 participants per trial reported statistically
significant results in favour of the self-management group in relation to
measures of disability, confidence in recovery, the stroke specific quality of
life (sub-scales of family roles and fine motor tasks), and the physical
component scale of the short form SF-36 Score. The wide range of outcome measures
used prevented comparison across studies. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides some
preliminary support for the potential importance of self-management interventions
after stroke. The most appropriate content and best approach for delivery of
these interventions remains to be determined. Further high-quality randomized
controlled trials are needed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of stroke self-management programmes.

Langue : ANGLAIS