Factors associated with stroke survivors' inconsistent uptake of physiotherapy interventions at Turton Community Health Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.
Ntombifuthi Mlambo, Khumbulani Hlongwana
PMID 33102887WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors who did not feel they were improving with exercises were significantly less likely to attend physiotherapy appointments.
Transport costs and lack of family support also hindered attendance, but statistical links to these factors were not significant.
Key findings
01Perceived lack of improvement from exercises was significantly associated with inconsistent physiotherapy attendance.
02Believing exercises were effective was significantly associated with consistent attendance.
03Family problems were the dominant challenge for inconsistent attendees, though transport and knowledge factors showed no significant statistical association with attendance.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was small (75 participants) and conducted at a single rural centre, limiting generalisability. Data relied on self-report, which is susceptible to recall and social desirability bias. The study excluded patients with cognitive deficits or those who could not communicate, potentially omitting a vulnerable group at high risk for non-adherence. Statistical analysis did not find significant associations for many extrinsic factors (like cost and transport) despite them being reported as challenges, possibly due to low power.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that transport costs or lack of stroke knowledge are the primary causes of non-attendance based on this study, as neither factor showed a statistically significant association with inconsistent uptake. The strongest evidence points to the patient's perception of whether the exercises are working.