JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

A large number of the world’s post-stroke survivors suffers with moderate to severe disability. Long-term uncontrolled stroke risk factor led to unforeseen recurrent stroke and growing number of stroke occurrence across ages in Malaysia. This situation has led to research works tapping into patient education especially related to the self-efficacy of understanding and taking medication appropriately. Video narratives integrated with Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs have displayed potential impact as an aide to patient education efforts.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures based on a trial protocol of video narratives intervention among post-stroke patients. We also report the preliminary findings of video narratives on medication understanding and use self-efficacy (MUSE) and blood pressure control.

Methods:

A parallel group, randomized controlled study was conducted at the neurology outpatient clinic on post-stroke patients (N=54). Baseline data included patients’ socio-demographics, medical information and all outcome measures. Post measurement of MUSE and blood parameters were done during 3 months’ follow-up. Feasibility of study included recruitment and study completion rate with patients’ feedback on the burden of study procedures and outcome measures. Whereas, acceptability of study was analyzed qualitatively. Few statistical analyses were applied to ascertain preliminary results of the video narratives.

Results:

The recruitment rate was (60/117) 51.3%. Nevertheless, the dropout rate of (6/60) 10% was within the acceptable range. Patients were aged between 21 and 74 years. Over 85% of them had adequate health literacy and exposure to stroke education. Most patients (> 80%) were diagnosed with ischemic stroke whereby the majority were primarily hypertensive. The technicality of randomization and patient approach were carried out with minimal challenge and adequate patient satisfaction. However, the burden of outcome measures received some concerns. The video contents received good responses about its comprehension and simplicity. Moreover, an in-depth phone interview with 8 patients found the video narratives useful and inspiring. These findings also paralleled significant preliminary improvement in MUSE (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

The queries and feedback noted from each study’s phase in this study had been acknowledged and thus, convincingly would be taken forward to the full trial. Clinical Trial: ANZCTR (ACTRN12618000174280) (UTN) U1111-1201-3955.