Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation in Home Care

The primary measure of effect was the change in health-related quality of life and functioning from baseline to 12-months as measured by the SF-36 physical functioning score. The range of possible scores for this subscale is 0-100, with a higher score indicating a more favourable health status.

The SIS-16 assesses several aspects of health-related quality of life that are important to stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The SIS-16 consists of 16 items which cover the physical aspects of stroke including: strength, hand function, mobility, and activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living. Each item is assigned a score ranging from 1 (could not do at all) to 5 (not difficult at all). The individual items sum to provide a total score (range from 16 to 80), with higher scores indicating higher levels of health-related quality of life and function.

The RNLI assesses global functional status and measures both the stroke survivors' perceptions of their own capabilities and objective indicators of physical, social, and psychological performance. The RNLI consists of 11 items which cover the domains of mobility, self-care abilities, daily activities, recreational and social activities, family roles, and personal relationships, presentation of self and general coping skills. Each item is scored as 0 to 2. Minimum score is "0" and maximum score is "22". The individual items sum to provide a total score, with 22 indicating the highest degree of reintegration.

The 10-item Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) is used for the screening, diagnosis and assessment of cognition. The SPMSQ is short, easily administered and has been designed, tested, standardized and validated in a variety of populations, including stroke. The SPMSQ consists of 10 items. The individual items sum to provide a total score, ranging from 0-10; with greater than 4 errors indicating some degree of intellectual impairment. The higher the score, the less impairment.

The CES-D scale is a 20-item, self-reported questionnaire that assesses the current frequency of depressive symptoms. Total scores can range from 0 to 60; the higher the score, the more depressed. Values were determined by taking the value of the 12-month data (Timepoint 2) and subtracting them from the baseline data (Timepoint 1).

The PRQ85-Part Two is a 25-item scale that measures perceived social support along five dimensions: provision for attachment/intimacy; social integration; opportunity for nurturing behaviour; reassurance of worth as an individual and in role accomplishments; and the availability of informational, emotional, and material help. Scores range from a minimum of 25 to maximum score of 175; a higher score indicates a greater perception of social support.

The Kessler-10 assesses level of anxiety and depressive symptoms a person may have experienced in the most recent four-week period. Its main strength is a superior ability to screen for anxiety and affective disorders. Each item is assigned a score ranging from 5 (all of the time) to 1 (none of the time). These 10 items are summed to give scores ranging from 10-50, where 50 indicates high risk of anxiety or depressive disorder. Previous studies have established a cut-off score of 16-29/50 for medium risk, and 30-50/50 as high risk for anxiety and depressive disorders.