PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation program for the patients having an acute stroke. The variables evaluated were cognitive function, depression and activities of daily living (ADLs). METHODS A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design with sixty-two subjects from two separated institutions was the design for the study. Thirty-three patients were assigned to the treatment group and 29 patients comprised the comparison group. The treatment group participated in the nursing intervention for cognitive rehabilitation for a three week period of time. The study was conducted from September 2010 to April 2011. RESULTS Following the three week intervention, the cognitive function and activities of daily living of the treatment group were significantly improved compared to the comparison group (t=6.33, p<.001; t=4.57, p<.001). Specifically, depression was significantly decreased in the treatment group (t=3.95, p<.001). CONCLUSION The cognitive rehabilitation program was effective in increasing the treatment group cognitive function and activities of daily living along with a decrease in depression scores. Therefore, Cognitive Rehabilitation Program could be expected a beneficial nursing intervention in stroke patients.
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