A randomized controlled trial on the effects of decision aids for choosing discharge destinations of older stroke patients

Background In Japanese medical practice, older stroke survivors are overwhelmed with information regarding their discharge locations, creating more decision-making challenges. A randomized controlled trial evaluated the influence of decision aids (DAs) for matching older stroke patients and their families’ values concerning decisional conflict and participation in discharge destination decisions. Methods Participants were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention spanned two months, from admission to discharge, at which times participants were surveyed. DAs were provided to the intervention group, and brochures to the control group. The primary endpoint was decisional conflict, assessed using the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS). The secondary endpoint decision-making participation was assessed using the Control Preference Scale (CPS) decision-making roles and a 10-point Visual Analog Scale for participation rate. An independent t-test analyzed decisional conflict scores and participation rates to examine between-group differences. The chi-square independence test evaluated roles in decision-making scores. Post hoc subgroup analyses were performed. Results Ninety-nine participants (intervention group n = 51; control group n = 48) were included in the full analysis set, with a dropout rate of 38.4%. No significant group differences were found in decision-making conflict [t (99) = 0.69, p = 0.49, d = 0.14] and roles in decision-making scores [χ2 (5) = 3.65, p = 0.46]. However, a significant group difference was found in the participation rate [t (99) = 2.24, p = 0.03, d = 0.45]. DA tended to reduce uncertainty and promote participation rates, especially in participants living alone and unable to decide their discharge destination. Conclusions The use of DA with older stroke patients did not significantly decrease decisional conflicts. In addition, the participation rate in decision-making increased, but their active role did not. Further studies should be conducted to understand the methods of offering DA, their ideal durations, and identify their beneficiaries.