A study on educational intervention for main caregivers to assist in improving symptoms for patients with dysphagia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether educating the main caregivers of patients with dysphagia about specific rehabilitation techniques improves a patient's condition．The subjects of the investigation were 27 main caregivers who take care of dysphagic patients． The main caregivers were randomized into two groups after giving their informed consent (experimental group：14；control group：13)． The experimental group received 4 months education from researchers on care of dysphagic patients， while the control group was just observed without education．Outcome was assessed according to patients’ symptoms of dysphagia，answers to questions about performing activities of daily living (ADL：Barthel Index)，pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂)．For the main caregivers，knowledge of dysphagia was assessed．All questionnaires were completed by nursing staff．These factors were assessed before and after the intervention．The SpO₂ of dysphagic patients in the experimental group improved significantly after education compared with before education (p＜0.05)．In conclusion，home nurses should instruct main caregivers of dysphagic patients in rehabilitation techniques in order to improve a patient's condition．