The International Journal of Long-Term and Rehabilitation Nursing (IJLTRN) is committed to sharing pioneering research and clinical insights that shape nursing practice in long-term care and rehabilitation environments. Our publications reflect the evolving needs of healthcare professionals, patients, and institutions around the globe.
Browse the most recent peer-reviewed articles that offer innovative practices, outcome-based interventions, and interdisciplinary approaches in long-term and rehabilitation nursing.
Featured Articles in the Latest Issue
- Volume 2 (Issue 1) JANUARY- JUNE 2026
Research Articles
Nurse-Led Transitional Care Models for Elderly Stroke Survivors in Long Term Rehabilitation Settings
Vol.2(1); Pages:1-10. Published on March-2026
Abstract
Effective transitional care is critical for elderly stroke survivors who move from acute hospital units to long term rehabilitation facilities. This prospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led transitional care model designed to enhance functional recovery, medication adherence, and continuity of rehabilitation services. A total of 186 post-stroke patients aged 65 years and above were followed across three rehabilitation centers for a period of six months after discharge from acute care. The intervention involved structured discharge planning, individualized rehabilitation counseling, and weekly follow-up consultations conducted by trained rehabilitation nurses. Functional independence was assessed using the Modified Barthel Index, while quality of life and adherence indicators were measured through validated patient-reported scales. Patients receiving the nurse-led transitional program demonstrated significantly higher improvements in functional independence scores compared with the standard discharge group. Furthermore, readmission rates and medication discrepancies were significantly reduced in the intervention cohort. Qualitative feedback from caregivers indicated improved confidence in home-based care management. The findings highlight the critical role of rehabilitation nurses in coordinating post-discharge recovery and supporting continuity of care for elderly stroke survivors. Implementing structured transitional nursing models may strengthen long-term rehabilitation outcomes and reduce preventable complications in aging populations requiring extended neurological recovery.
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The Impact of Structured Mobility Training Protocols on Functional Independence in Long-Term Orthopedic Rehabilitation Patients: A Controlled Clinical Study
Vol.2(1); Pages:11-19. Published on March-2026
Abstract
One of the primary goals of the long-term orthopedic rehabilitation is functional mobility restoration. This was a controlled clinical trial exploring the impact of a structured nurse-supervised mobility training program on functional recovery of major orthopedic surgery patients who were receiving prolonged rehabilitation. One hundred and forty-two patients who were undergoing the recovery of hip and knee reconstruction were recruited in two long-term rehabilitation hospitals. There was an intervention group that got the standardized nurse-led mobility trainings and a comparison group, which got the routine physiotherapy support all alone. The nursing plan included the daily progressive ambulation exercises, educating the patient about safe movement and motivational counseling aimed to enhance the intention to participate in rehabilitation programs. The nine-week process was measured at 12 weeks using the Functional Independence Measure and the timed mobility tests of functional independence. Patients that received the organized nursing input showed much higher improvement in ambulation range, balance and self-sufficiency in the daily living activity. Moreover, the intervention condition had a reduction in fall and increase in adherence to rehabilitation. The research paper emphasizes the importance of reinforcing mobility training and encouraging patient motivation during longer recovery periods as being crucial due to the role of a rehabilitation nurse. The organized nursing mobility protocols in the long-term orthopedic rehabilitation programs could have a significant impact on the patient outcomes and the speed of the functional reintegration into the community life.
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Nursing-Driven Self-Management Education for Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury in Long-Term Rehabilitation: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation
Vol.2(1); Pages:20-29. Published on April-2026
Abstract
Chronic spinal cord injury patients frequently develop the need to spend a long period of rehabilitation and self-management techniques to avoid complications and remain functionally independent. This was a mixed methods research study that explored the effectiveness of a structured self-management education program that uses nurses, and is applied in long-term rehabilitation centers. The program consisted of interactive educational programs encompassing pressure injury prevention, bladder and bowel management, adaptive mobility strategies, and psychological coping strategies. One hundred and forty-four respondents are recruited into the study in two specialized rehabilitation centers. The incidence of complications, self efficacy scales, and quality of life measurements were used to measure quantitative outcomes within a four month period of observation. Besides that, qualitative interviews were also undertaken to a sample of the participants to understand the patient perceptions of the education program and how it impacted their day-to-day self care practices. Findings showed that self-management confidence, the number of secondary complications that could be avoided, and the involvement of the intervention participants in rehabilitation activities were significantly better in those receiving the intervention. The qualitative results also demonstrated a significant role of the regular interaction with the nurse and individual coaching to promote behavioral changes over time. Involvement of structured self-management education guided by rehabilitation nurses seems to be a good measure in facilitating autonomy and long term health maintenance among patients with spinal cord injury receiving prolonged rehabilitation care.
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Evaluating Nurse-Delivered Psychological Interventions in Long-Term Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients
Vol.2(1); Pages:30-39. Published on May-2026
Abstract
The presence of psychological distress and anxiety is typical of patients who are undergoing prolonged cardiac rehabilitation after suffering significant cardiovascular events. It was a randomized clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of a nurse-guided psychological support intervention as part of the long-term cardiac rehabilitation programs. One hundred sixty-eight patients who had myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery were chosen at random to the standard rehabilitation care group or intervention group undergoing either structured psychological support sessions, administered by trained rehabilitation nurses. The intervention involved stress-management training, coping instructions and personalized counseling sessions in order to overcome emotional complications related to long term recovery. Validated anxiety and depression scales were used to measure the psychological outcomes and compliance to cardiac rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle recommendations were measured after 16 weeks. The participants who experienced the nurse-led intervention had a lot less anxiety scores and depressive symptoms scores than the control group. Furthermore, the participants of the intervention showed better compliance with rehabilitation exercises and drug therapy. The paper highlights the multidimensional nature of rehabilitation nurses when it comes to the physical and psychological nature of long-term cardiac recovery. The inclusion of diverse psychological assistance into the rehabilitation nursing practice could be beneficial in making patients more resilient, increasing their adherence to rehabilitation, and adding to the overall recovery outcome.
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Tele-Rehabilitation Nursing Follow-Up for Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Vol.2(1); Pages:40-48. Published on May-2026
Abstract
Sustained monitoring is usually necessary because long-term programs in pulmonary rehabilitation are needed to minimize the chance of exacerbating the symptoms and functional capacity in chronic respiratory disease individuals. It was a multicenter observational study, which examined the efficacy of nurse-centered tele-rehab follow-ups modeled to provide support to patients on extended pulmonary recovery programs. The researchers used 210 respondents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing long-term rehabilitation services in three special respiratory centers. The participants were recruited in an organized type of tele-rehabilitation model, in which the rehabilitation nurses provided frequently virtual meetings, where symptoms were evaluated, and remote education sessions were provided with education on breathing techniques, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes. A five-month period of observation was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes such as the number of exacerbation, the rate of hospital readmission and patient-reported quality-of-life scores. Findings showed that tele-rehabilitation nursing follow-up was an effective intervention that enhanced symptom monitoring and prompt intervention to manage exacerbations. There were also improvements in the reports made by patients on access to the support provided by rehabilitation and increased confidence in the management of respiratory symptoms at home. The results indicate that the nursing follow-up based on telehealth, when introduced into the pulmonary rehabilitation program, can enhance continuity of care, decrease hospitalization, and reinforce long-term disease management plans among patients with chronic lung diseases.
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