Effectiveness of patient education in acute stroke: a comparison between a customised computer system and a pictorial information booklet

Background Patients who develop acute stroke are at high risk for deterioration in the first 48-72 hours after admission. An effective educational intervention is needed. Objective This study aimed to examine the applicability of the customised interactive computer education system (CICS) in patients who had a stroke in the early acute phase in order to determine the efficacy of the education system in (1) information satisfaction and (2) physiological related management compliance. Methods The prospective non-blinded randomised controlled study was conducted in an acute stroke unit of a local hospital in Hong Kong from March to August 2019. Chinese participants were selected if they were at least 18 years of age, experienced a minor stroke within 3 days. The exclusion criteria were communication problem and comorbidity with another acute disease. On the first day of admission, participants were allocated to the CICS and booklet groups, with each group comprising 50 participants. On the third day, the primary outcome, Modified Information Satisfaction Questionnaire for Acute Stroke (MISQ-S), was assessed. Results There was a significant difference in 'the need to improve information measures' of the MISQ-S (p=0.04) between the CICS and booklet groups. The management compliance of these two groups did not have difference, but the CICS group had better clinical outcome, though not significant (p=0.387). Conclusion Patient education was needed and feasible in the early acute phase, and the CICS was more efficacious than the booklet. The positive results provided insights into and give a direction to the use of information technology in patient education.