No other measurements at one year reached statistical significance. Given the lack of statistical significance, this is irrelevant. Can t tell. The main problem with this study is that a high proportion of stroke patients would be excluded by the strict inclusion criteria. However, a certain sub-group might benefit from implementation of a policy based on this evidence, even if the whole population is unable to benefit.
Few studies can fully cover all three dimensions.
This study has established that there is apparently little to choose between the interventions in terms of effectiveness. Evidence concerning the effect on patients is equivocal with apparent improved satisfaction with hospital care, but with higher anxiety in the community therapy group. Can t tell. The crude nature of the cost analysis makes such a bottom-line evaluation difficult. At most one might conclude that, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, there may be reasons to investigate early discharge, particularly in those subgroups of patients who are most likely to benefit.