EVALUATION OF E-PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COACHING PROGRAMME ON STROKE KNOWLEDGE AND ANXIETY LEVEL AMONG STROKE SURVIVORS

Abstract

Background and Objective: Education and training on self-management are important component of post-stroke care. Since the past few years, education and training to stroke survivors are delivered through an online platform due to various reasons. However, the effectiveness of this type of patient education and training delivery is still unknown. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate an online education program for stroke survivors living at home post-stroke. Methods: A total of 52 stroke survivors were recruited to participate in the study. Subjects were respondents to a previous local survey on knowledge, attitude and practice of physical activity conducted in the Klang Valley area of Malaysia. Selected subjects were those who scored low in the knowledge part of the survey. The stroke education focused on stroke in general and the benefit of physical activity on stroke survivors and was given online using an e-Physical Activity Coaching program (e-PAc). The effect of the e-PAc was assessed in term of change in knowledge and anxiety level with the use of Stroke Knowledge Test: Malay version (SKT-Malay) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) after 6 weeks of enrolment. Results: All 52 participants completed the e-PAc without any adverse effects. There was a statistically significant improvement in SKT (p<0.001) and positive change in HAM-A after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows that an online education program is effective in improving stroke related knowledge and lowering anxiety level among stroke survivors. The e-PAc may be recommended to physiotherapists managing post-stroke patients as an alternative to a face-to-face program.