# Application of new media-based home nursing intervention for stroke-related depression patients: a retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

A new media-based home nursing program improves recovery and reduces depression in stroke patients compared to standard care.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a family-centered new-media nursing intervention in improving stroke recovery outcomes.

## Key findings

- Patients in the intervention group showed greater improvements in functional independence and quality of life.
- The intervention group had higher rehabilitation compliance and medication adherence.
- The intervention was associated with favorable biological changes, including increased neurotrophic factors and reduced inflammation markers.

## Abstract

Persistent functional impairment and psychological distress are common after stroke, highlighting the need for effective post-discharge nursing strategies. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the associations of a family-centered, new-media continuous nursing intervention on stroke recovery outcomes.

The study included 107 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke who received either routine post-discharge care or a family-centered new-media continuous nursing intervention. Functional status, depressive symptoms, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Rehabilitation adherence, platform engagement indicators, and selected serum biomarkers related to neuroplasticity and inflammation were analyzed. Multivariable models were used to adjust for baseline clinical factors.

At 6 months, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in Barthel Index scores, larger reductions in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores, and greater gains in quality of life compared with routine care. Rehabilitation compliance and medication adherence were higher in the intervention group. Within this group, greater platform engagement was associated with larger improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life. In addition, patients receiving the intervention exhibited greater increases in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and endothelial progenitor cell counts, along with more pronounced reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α. Participation in the intervention remained independently associated with functional and psychological improvement after adjustment.

Family-centered new-media continuous nursing is associated with improved functional independence, psychological recovery, adherence behaviors, and favorable biological changes in patients with ischemic stroke.