ABSTRACT
Background:Stroke is a prevalent societal burden and there has been considerable increase in stroke-related disability globally. Physiotherapy is a key component in the multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation team, which focuses on the recovery of physical function and the reduction / prevention of stroke-related disabilities. However, there is debate over the use of evidence-based practice and the efficacy of different interventions related to stroke rehabilitation.
Aims:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the practices of physiotherapists instroke rehabilitation in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-city, Edo state and the satisfaction of patients with physiotherapy practices.
Methods:Twelve (86%) of physiotherapists and 30 stroke patients in UBTH were surveyed using Evaluation of stroke Rehab Practice questionnaires. Data was extracted from the case notes of patients. Questionnaires consisted of items related to stroke rehabilitation such as approaches to physiotherapy, prognostic and interventional measures. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Participants rated their overall physical therapy to be good (53.3%) and very good (46.7%) and none (0%) rated it to be excellent. In most (70%) of the participants, time spent during arm rehabilitation was ≤ 10minuteswith the total physiotherapy session lasting mostly for 21-40minutes in 19 (63.3%). It was found that neither mirror therapy nor circuit training was incorporated in rehabilitation. None of the participants were assessed for cognition and post-stroke depression. A great deal of variation in treatment approaches, therapy dosage and beliefs were revealed in this study, which indicates the need for further/advanced training for physiotherapists on stroke rehabilitation and implementation of a standardized evidence-based protocol for stroke rehabilitation in UBTH.
