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Effectiveness of a stepped self-care program for stroke survivors: A quasi-experimental study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: To evaluate the effectiveness of the stepped self-care program on the self-care, self-efficacy, and quality of life of stroke survivors. This quasi-experimental study randomly allocated 110 stroke survivors from two neurology wards into an intervention group ( n = 55) who received the stepped self-care program and a control group ( n = 55) who received usual care from June to December 2023. The Self-Care of Stroke Inventory, Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the short version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale were administered at baseline (T 0 ), immediately post-intervention (T 1 ), and at 1-month (T 2 ) and 3-month (T 3 ) follow-ups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t -tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact tests, repeated measures analyses of variance, and generalized estimating equations. A total of 48 participants in the intervention group and 50 participants in the control group completed the study. The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher scores in self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management, as well as in self-efficacy and quality of life at T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 compared to the control group ( P < 0.001), with statistically significant group, time, and interaction effects ( P < 0.05). The stepped self-care program significantly improved self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, and quality of life among stroke survivors. These findings support the broader implementation of this approach in post-discharge home self-care.

Source: International Journal of Nursing Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2025.12.012