CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM Background of the Study Stroke is one of the most common complications of having high blood

pressure which commonly occurs to elder people either male or female but younger people are not an exemption. Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain which may kill them or can make

burst or becomes blocked,

one side of the body unable to move (Collins, 2009). After stroke, the affected part of the body, if not paralyzed completely can regain its normal function through rehabilitation recommended by physicians. According to National Institute Neurological Disorder and Stroke, Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that are lost when the part of the brain is damaged. Rehabilitation also teaches survivors new ways of performing tasks to circumvent or compensate for any residual disabilities. There is a strong consensus among

rehabilitation experts that the most important element in any rehabilitation program is carefully directed, wellfocused, and repetitive practice (n.p.).

Physical therapy or physiotherapy is a medical treatment for problems that involves the muscles, bones, or nerves which involves doing exercises or having part of the body massaged or warmed (Collins, 2009). This is one of

the rehabilitation methods that is needed by post stroke patients but is commonly ignored by many. The aims of

physical therapy interventions in a rehabilitation program are to promote motor recovery, optimize sensory functions, enhance functional independence, and prevent secondary complications (physiotherapy-treatment. com). Many stroke survivors do not make complete recovery from their stroke are left with different complications and some are long term consequences. At most, post stroke patients experience fatigue and depression (Archives of Physical Medicine, 2000. n.p.).

These can add up to their current condition. These causes the patients not to do their rehabilitation procedures properly, and give them high risk of having accidents.

We observed that patients having self-care treatment have no noticeable improvements on their physical conditions. The cause is that they dont have enough

knowledge of what theyre doing can worsen their impairment.

According to Ningthoujam Sandyarani,

The

practice of physical therapy can be tracked back to about 460 BC when physicians Hippocrates and Hector used massage therapy and hydrotherapy (water therapy) to treat their patients. Massage therapy is a technique of physiotherapy,

whereby basic hand movements are used to reduce stress, relieve pain, and stimulate heating. However, it was

during the World War I (1917-1918) that physiotherapy was performed widely as a rehabilitation therapy for people who were injured in the war. Then in 1921 Mary McMillan founded the American Womens Physical Therapeutic Association, which was later changed to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). (n.p.). Our study will benefit post stroke patients in identifying the right rehabilitation treatment for them either self rehab or physical therapy. It is necessary to

conduct this study to know the factors affect their preference.

Statement of the Problem and Hypotheses 1. Preference of post stroke patients on choice of treatment. 1.1. What is the treatment preferred by post stroke patient? 1.2. What are the factors that affect the patients decision of treatment?

1.1.

The treatment preferred by most post stroke patient is self treatment or homebased treatment.

1.2. The factors that affect the patients decision of treatment are financial status, family opinion, referral of physician, knowledge of treatment, and availability of service and facilities.