Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Structured Tele-Delivered Caregiver Education Program for Stroke: A Single-Arm Pre–Post Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Stroke places significant physical and emotional demands on both patients and caregivers. While caregiver education is known to support recovery, evidence on structured tele-delivered programs remains limited.
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a structured tele-delivered caregiver education program on patient functional independence and caregiver burden in stroke rehabilitation.
Methods: This single-arm pre–post pilot study included 20 patient–caregiver dyads. Caregivers participated in 36 structured online sessions over three months, covering stroke management, mobility, exercise training, and emotional support. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, retention, and adherence rates. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) scores were recorded at baseline and post-intervention.
Results: Recruitment rate was 83% (20/24), and retention was 100%. Participants attended an average of 34.4 out of 36 sessions. FIM scores improved from 67.2 ± 8.5 to 92.6 ± 7.6, while CBS scores decreased from 69.4 ± 7.9 to 43.7 ± 9.7, indicating positive trends in patient independence and caregiver burden reduction.
Conclusion: The tele-delivered caregiver education program was feasible to implement with excellent retention and adherence. Preliminary improvements were observed in patient functional independence and caregiver burden, supporting further evaluation through a larger controlled trial.

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