Nursing Health Education to Improve Functionality and Quality of Life After Ischemic Stroke

Summary

This study is titled "Effect of a Nursing Intervention Based on Health Education on Functionality, Depression Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Patients with Ischemic Stroke." It is a quasi-experimental, longitudinal, prospective clinical trial that will beconducted with patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke and were treated in the neurology unit of the Lucus Augusti University Hospital, the same center where this study will take place.

The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of a nursing intervention based on health education on quality of life and depression symptoms in individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke.

To achieve this objective, variables such as cognitive status, depression symptoms, autonomy and ability to perform basic activities of daily living, neurological deficits, and quality of life will be assessed.

Regarding the total number of subjects to be studied, according to the Stroke Atlas in Galicia published by the Spanish Society of Neurology in 2018, the autonomous community of Galicia had a population of 2,701,819 inhabitants. Applying an incidence rate of 187.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants according to the IBERICTUS study, an estimated 5,064 new stroke cases occur each year in Galicia. The province of Lugo had 324,842 inhabitants as of January 1, 2024, according to the INE; therefore, applying the same incidence rate, an estimated 609 new stroke cases occur per year. Considering the proportion of ischemic strokes compared to other types of strokes (80:20), the estimated number of ischemic stroke cases in Lugo would be 487. The representative sample size of stroke patients in the province of Lugo would be 70 patients, with 35 patients receiving the intervention and 35 serving as controls.

Independent Variables:

Sociodemographic: sex, age, event date. Clinical: stroke type, treatment modality (rt-PA or thrombectomy), falls, pain, pressure ulcers, aspiration, pneumonia, dysphagia, vital signs.

Health education: received vs. not received.

Dependent Variables:

Cognitive status (MMSE). Depression symptoms (BDI). Autonomy and ADL performance (Barthel Index). Neurological deficits (NIHSS). Quality of life (European Quality of Life Scale).

Instruments Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Barthel Index NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) European Quality of Life Scale (EQLS)

Conditions

• Ischemia Stroke
• Post-stroke Depression
• Post-stroke
• Quality of Life
• Health Education

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Health education Program

The program consists of three core components: Session 1: Early stroke symptoms and recognition; Session 2: Living with stroke and daily self-care; and Session 3: Mood management. Additionally, a workshop (Session 4) will be delivered to address depressive symptoms through the development of coping strategies such as full-breathing techniques, relaxation methods, psychotherapy-based exercises, and mindfulness. All sessions will preferably be conducted in group format. Detailed session content is provided in Annex II. Considering that 35 patients will receive the health education program, an estimated 3-4 groups of 8-12 participants will be formed, each attending the sessions under the same instructor. Schedule The sessions will be delivered over two separate days: Day 1 (40 minutes): Session 1: Early stroke symptoms and their recognition Session 2: Living with stroke: daily care and self-management Day 2 (40 minutes): Session 3: Mood and depression management Session 4: Relaxa

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Santiago de Compostela

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-01

Completion

2027-12-01