Effects of self care practice on body image in patients with cerebrovascular accidents

Abstract

Introduction: This was a quasi-experimental study to investigate the effects of self-care on body image of the patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) referred to selected Isfahan Medical University hospitals in 2001.

Methods: This study investigated two groups in two stages. In the first stage, 50 patients with cerebrovascular accidents, referred to selected Isfahan Medical University hospitals (Alzahra and Noor hospitals) were selected by convenient sampling method. They were randomly divided into two equal groups (experimental and control groups). The data were gathered through two section questionnaires. In the first section, there were personal and demographic questions and the second section contained 40 questions about body image. The scientific validity of the questionnaires was proved by content validity. Coefficient alpha Cronbach of 93% proved its reliability. In the first stage, to begin the study, the patients' body images in the two groups were measured with questionnaires. Patients in experimental group, after getting permission for physiotherapy, were instructed with self-care practice in 3 sessions for 20 minutes. In this study, some sessions lasted up to 120 minutes with a two-day interval by a face to face educational method. In control group, investigators performed no interventions. After 8 weeks, patients' body images in the two groups were measured again with the same questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive inferential statistical method through SPSS software. In order to reach the research goals, t-paired test and independent t-test were applied.

Results: The results showed a significant difference between mean acquired body image scores before and after self-care practice in experimental group (P<0.001). No difference was seen between mean body image score, before and after 8 weeks in control group (P=0.593). A significant difference was seen between mean body image scores in two stages in both groups (P<0.001).

Conclusions: It was shown that performing self-care has positive effects on body image.  Nurses' roles in self-care education and its implementation were found to be important by this research