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Effects of an individualized multimedia computer program for health education in patients with a recent minor stroke or transient ischemic attack – a randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Maasland E.,
Koudstaal P. J.,
Habbema J. D. F.,
Dippel D. W. J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00722.x
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , stroke (engine) , intervention (counseling) , physical therapy , health education , post hoc analysis , public health , nursing , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background – Transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke patients often show a striking lack of knowledge about their disease. We developed a computer program that provided health education fitting the educational level, risk profile and symptoms of patients and evaluated it in a randomized controlled trial. Methods – Transient ischemic attack or minor stroke patients were allocated to health education by a physician ( n = 32) or to a combination of education by a physician and the computer program ( n = 33). Knowledge was tested by means of a questionnaire at 1 and 12 weeks after inclusion. The maximum possible score was 71 points. Results – Overall knowledge was low – the mean score was 43.6 at 1 week and 42.0 points at 12 weeks for both the groups. The intervention group had slightly better scores at 1 week after using the computer program, 45.4 vs 41.5 ( P = 0.09), with the difference increasing to 4.3 points after (post‐hoc) adjustment for age and level of education ( P = 0.06). After 12 weeks, the score in the intervention group dropped significantly to 42.0 points ( P = 0.05), and was no longer different from the standard group Conclusion – This study did not show a lasting effect of health education by an individualized computer program on the knowledge of TIA and minor stroke patients.