Effects of media-based psycho-education program on stress in caregivers for stroke patients

Abstract

Background: Recently the number of stroke patients increased every year which is considered as an important role in public health of Thailand. This disease causes a loss of neurological function and limitation of activities in daily life. As a result, an intensive care from caregiver is required and this might affect caregivers biologically, socially, emotionally and psychologically that lead to stress.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of media-based psychoeducation program on stress in caregivers for stroke patients at the Prasat Neurological Institute in Bangkok.

Methods: The subjects were 34 caregivers of stroke patients at the Prasat Neurological Institute in Bangkok whom 17 subjects are randomized into experimental group assigned for using media-based psycho-education program and other 17 subjects for control group assigned standard care. All subjects are evaluated pre-test prior to the delivery of the media based psychoeducation program and post-test and were compared between the control group and the experimental group. Tools and methods used to collect data compose of caregiver stress Interview - CSI, Expectation of caregivers of stroke patient evaluation, self-esteem of caregiver of stroke patient evaluation for stress score, scores of expectation of caregivers, and selfesteem scores.

Results: The results demonstrated that caregivers of stroke patients had significantly decreased mean score of stress (P < 0.01) and the scores of expectation of caregivers and self-esteem scores significantly increased (P < 0.01) compared with the control group immediately after the therapy and one month after the therapy.

Conclusion: Media-based psycho-education program can decrease stress in caregivers of stroke patients. This study would be helpful for media-based psychoeducation program to decrease stress in caregivers for stroke patients.