Patient Preference for Community-based Rehabilitation Programs after Stroke

[Purpose] We evaluated the level of patient satisfaction for community-based rehabilitation programs using a modified questionnaire to identify subjective preferences and plan an optimal clinical program. [Subjects and Methods] Over a period of 12 weeks, 13 patients who had suffered a stroke participated in three exercise programs and two educational programs. The three exercise programs included a circuit exercise program, mat exercise program, and a game activity program, and they were performed weekly. The educational programs consisted of tapping and stress-education programs. After 12 weeks, the satisfaction level for each program was analyzed using a five-point scale, with higher points meaning a higher level of satisfaction. [Results] Satisfaction was the highest in the mat exercise program and the lowest in the stress-education program, with a significant difference between these programs. There was no significant difference between the educational programs or among the exercise programs. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that patients prefer direct rehabilitation programs to improve function after a stroke. A mat exercise program could be used in clinical rehabilitation to increase the rate of participation and improve the therapeutic efficacy.