Quality of Life after Stroke Rehabilitation among Urban vs. Rural Patients in Thailand
Nuttaset Manimmanakorn MD, MSc*, Ratana Vichiansiri MD*, Chompilai Nuntharuksa RN**, Wutichai Permsirivanich MD***, Vilai Kuptniratsaikul MD, MSc****
Affiliation : * Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen ** Rehabilitation ward, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen *** Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla **** Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Background : Stroke patients who live in different areas might have different adjustments for their impairment
and disability after stroke attack. These factors should be evaluated in Thai patients.
Objective : To compare functional outcome, psychological outcome and quality of life of stroke patients who
live in urban vs. rural areas, before and after an in-patient rehabilitation program.
Study design: A multi-center, prospective, analytical study.
Material and Method: Urban and rural stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation ward received a reha-
bilitation program. Pre- and post-rehabilitation, patients were measured using the Barthel index, the Hospi-
tal Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the WHO BREF QOL questionnaire. The data were collected
from nine rehabilitation centers in Thailand.
Results : Significant improvement in functional outcome, psychological condition and quality of life score was
achieved via the rehabilitation program in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference
between urban vs. rural patients.
Conclusion : Previous living areas (urban vs. rural) before admission had no effect on functional outcome,
psychological outcome and quality of life among stroke patients after an in-patient rehabilitation program
conducted in Northeast Thailand.
Keywords : Functional outcome, Psychological condition, Quality of life, Rehabilitation program, Stroke, Thailand, Urban, Rural
