RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .
Effects of a range-of-motion exercise programme.
AIM This paper reports an evaluation of a range-of-motion exercise programme aim ed at improving joint flexibility , activity function , perception of pain , and depressive symptoms in a sample of stroke survivors in long-term care facilities . BACKGROUND The benefits of physical rehabilitation for stroke survivors have been well established . There is , however , little empirical data on the effects of a simple nurse-led range-of-motion exercise programme in improving function for these people . METHOD A r and omized controlled trial was conducted in 1999 with 59 bedridden older stroke survivors in residential care . Participants were r and omly assigned to usual care or one of two intervention groups . The 4-week , twice-per-day , 6 days-per-week range-of-motion exercise protocol s were similar in both intervention groups , and consisted of full range-of-motion exercises of the upper and lower extremities . To test the effect of different degrees of staff involvement , in intervention group I , a Registered Nurse was present to supervise participants performing the exercises , while intervention group II involved a Registered Nurse physically assisting participants to achieve maximum range-of-motion within or beyond their present abilities . RESULTS Both intervention groups had statistically significant improvement in joint angles , activity function , perception of pain and depressive symptoms compared with the usual care group ( P < 0.05 ) . Post hoc comparison revealed that the joint angles in intervention group II were statistically significantly wider than in both the other groups ( P < 0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS A simple nurse-led range-of-motion exercise programme can generate positive effects in enhancing physical and psychological function of bedridden older people with stroke . Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of the programme in maximizing function , reducing care utilization and enhancing quality of life for this population
RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .