Research of rehabilitation nursing in elderly patients with post-stroke depression

Objective To investigate the influence of rehabilitation nursing including psychological counseling and exercise training on post-stroke depression patients. Methods Eighty patients with post-stroke depression were divided into 2 groups: rehabilitation group (combination of conventional drug treatment and auxiliary exercise and phychological therapy, N = 40) and control group (drug and auxiliary exercise therapy, N = 40). These patients were assessed by using Barthel Index (BI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) on admission and 3 months after treatment respectively. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the BI and HAMD score between rehabilitation group and control group on admission [BI: 58.69 (51.57, 57.40) vs 59.02 (55.15, 61.27), HAMD: 13.52 (10.87, 15.02) vs 13.85 (10.50, 14.42); P > 0.05]. After 3 months' treatment, the ability of daily living was obviously improved and HAMD score decreased in rehabilitation group, and the differences with control group were statistically significant [BI: 71.28 (69.20, 73.20) vs 58.31 (57.53, 63.37); HAMD: 8.05 (7.32, 10.78) vs 14.98 (12.68, 17.80); P < 0.05]. Conclusion Combination of exercise training, psychological rehabilitation and drug treatment is beneficial for alleviating post-stroke depression and improving the recovery of neurological function and prognosis.