Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/1310
Title: How does delirium affect allied health therapy after stroke?
Author: Cutts, Brendan
Wong Shee, Anna
Barr, Chris
Issue Date: 2018
Conference Name: Ballarat Health Services 2018 Annual Research Symposium: research partnerships for population, people and patients; celebrating our research partnerships with the community in the Grampians region
Conference Date: November 29th
Conference Place: Ballarat
Abstract: Background Delirium is a common complication in elderly hospitalized patients, affecting around a third of patients post-stroke and increasing risk of inpatient mortality and admission to residential aged care. Allied health therapy post stroke is important for optimizing health outcomes and functional abilities, and is most effective early after stroke when delirium is more common. Objectives/Aims This study proposed to evaluate the effect of delirium on patient participation in allied health therapy and determine whether time or length of session improved engagement. Method This was an observational study conducted in acute neurology and rehabilitation units in a regional Victorian health service. Patients in the first four weeks post stroke were assessed for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method, and physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists completed a survey after each therapy session scoring the effect of symptoms of delirium on the therapy session. Results Patients who developed delirium were older (79.3 years, SD 9.9 vs 69.0 years, SD 13.6, p = .024) and had more severe strokes (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 12.2, SD 7.8 vs 6.9, SD 4.6, p = .011) compared with patients who didn't develop delirium. Therapy sessions while a patient was in delirium were shorter and proportion of therapy during therapist contact time was lower. Therapist-rated scores of patient-participation were lower, and both inattention and altered conscious state affected sessions more in the delirious group. Time of day did not alter any outcome. Implications/Outcomes for Planned Research Project Post-stroke delirium has a significant effect on a range of measures of engagement in allied health therapy. There is a need to identify strategies to mitigate the impact of delirium and ensure patients are given optimal therapy. Final Thoughts Patients in delirium participate in less allied health therapy post-stroke. Sessions less than 30 minutes may be better to improve active participation for patients in delirium.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/1310
Internal ID Number: 01263
Health Subject: INPATIENT MORTALITY
OPTIMIZING HEALTH OUTCOMES
FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES
ACUTE NEUROLOGY
REHABILITATION
Type: Conference
Presentation
Appears in Collections:Research Output

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