Quality of life of Nigerian stroke survivors during first 12 months post-stroke

Background: Poor physical function and quality of life are ubiquitous post-stroke. Effective interventions to improve physical function and quality of life for stroke survivors are critically needed. Objective: Examine the effect of a Tai Chi (TC) intervention on physical function and quality of life. Methods: In a single-blind randomized clinical trial community-dwelling stroke survivors, aged ≥ 50 years and ≥ 3 months post-stroke, were assigned to: Yang style 24-posture TC (n=53), SilverSneakers® (SS, n=44) strength and range of movement exercise, or Usual Care (UC, n=48) for 12 weeks. TC and SS attended a 1-hour class 3 times/week, while UC had weekly phone calls. Standardized measures for Physical Function were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Fall Rates and 2-Minute StepTest; and for Quality of Life were the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: A total of 145 stroke survivors (47% women, mean age=70 years, time post-stroke=3 years, ischemic stroke=66%, hemiparesis=73%) enrolled. During the intervention, TC participants had 2/3 fewer falls (n=5 falls), than the SS (n=14 falls) and UC (n=15 falls) groups (χ2=5.60, p=0.06). All groups had improvements in the SPPB score (F 1,142 =85.29, p<0.01), after the 12-week intervention. Post-hoc tests following a significant interaction for the 2-Minute StepTest (F 2,142 =4.69, p<0.01) indicated TC (t 53 =2.45, p=0.02) and SS (t 44 =4.63, p<0.01) groups had significantly better aerobic endurance over time, though the UC group did not (t 48 =1.58, p=0.12). All groups reported better perceived physical (SF-36 PCS, F 1,142 =4.15, p=0.04) and mental health (SF-36 MCS, F 1,142 =15.60, p<0.01), after the intervention. There were no significant within group changes in perceived physical health (p>0.05), while significant improvements in perceived mental health (p < 0.05) were observed within all groups. No significant changes in depressive symptoms or sleep quality were observed (p>0.05). Attrition was 10% (n=14), and intervention adherence rates were 85%. Conclusions: Goals of stroke rehabilitation are to prevent disability, improve physical function and quality of life. TC and SS led to improved aerobic endurance, and both are suitable community-based programs that may aid in stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data suggest that a 12-week TC intervention may be more effective in reducing fall rates than SS or UC. Future studies examining the effectiveness of TC to reduce fall rates; and improve physical function and quality of life for community-dwelling stroke survivors are recommended.

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Abstract TMP49: Depressive Symptoms After Stroke are Linked Longitudinally between Stroke Survivors and Their Family Caregivers

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.tmp49 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

David L Roth ◽

Orla C Sheehan ◽

Jin Huang ◽

J. D Rhodes ◽

Suzanne E Judd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

Stroke Survivor ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Clinically Significant

Background: Multiple previous investigations have documented persistent elevations in depressive symptoms after stroke for stroke survivors and for family caregivers. However, relatively few studies have examined both groups simultaneously, and none have tested for possible predictive linkages in longitudinal analyses. Methods: We collected interview data from 248 stroke survivors and their primary family caregivers who were enrolled in the Caring for Adults Recovering from the Effects of Stroke (CARES) project. CARES is an ancillary study to the national REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Stroke survivors and caregivers were interviewed at 9-, 18-, 27- and 36-months after an adjudicated stroke event. Measures administered to both groups included the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) of health-related quality of life. Cross-lagged panel analyses were used to investigate linkages between stroke survivors and caregivers over time on these measures. Results: Clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms, as defined by a score of 16 or more on the CESD, were found for 17.0% of the stroke survivors and 13.7% of the caregivers at 9-months after stroke. Longitudinal models revealed that high stroke survivor depressive symptoms at 9-months post-stroke predicted increases in caregiver depressive symptoms at 18-months post-stroke (standardized adjusted regression coefficient = 0.18, p = 0.003). No longitudinal predictive effects were found for caregiver depressive symptoms on stroke survivor outcomes or for the SF-12 measures. Conclusions: Clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms were relatively rare 9-months after stroke in this population-based sample of stroke survivors and family caregivers. Stroke survivor depressive symptoms longitudinally predict caregiver depressive symptoms, but caregiver well-being was not found to longitudinally predict stroke survivor depression or quality of life. Treating elevated depressive symptoms in stroke survivors may also improve caregiver well-being.

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Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Perspectives on Post-Stroke Visual Concerns and Long-Term Consequences

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2018/1463429 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Theresa M. Smith ◽

Monique R. Pappadis ◽

Shilpa Krishnan ◽

Timothy A. Reistetter

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Community Support ◽

Stroke Survivor ◽

The United States ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Care Providers ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Vision Care

Approximately 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke annually. Up to two thirds of stroke survivors have some visual problems, which result in disability and can affect survivors’ overall rehabilitation outcomes. Although some post-stroke visual impairments can be corrected and respond well to intervention, ocular signs can be subtle and may not be recognized or reported by the stroke survivor but rather by a vigilant caregiver. The purpose of this study was to explore the post-stroke visual concerns and consequences expressed by stroke survivors and caregivers. This study employed a qualitative design using semistructured interviews conducted with a convenience sample of stroke survivors and caregivers recruited from either a community support group or skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Comparative content analysis was used to identify vision-related themes by two independent coders. All research team members completed quality checking of coding. Twenty participants (11 stroke survivors and 9 caregivers) expressed visual concerns or consequences following stroke: (1) eye movement problems, (2) perceptual issues, and (3) consequences of vision problems or issues, which affected their daily life/quality of life. Stroke survivors and caregivers reported receiving vision care from (1) eye doctors, (2) occupational therapists, and (3) other healthcare professionals. All vision care providers need to be observant of potential post-stroke visual concerns. Stroke survivors should have a thorough vision evaluation to optimize their independence in everyday activities and quality of life.

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Non-pharmacological interventions for the improvement of post-stroke quality of life amongst older stroke survivors: a systematic review of systematic reviews (The SENATOR ONTOP series)

European Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1007/s41999-019-00180-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 359-386

Author(s):

Carrie Stewart ◽

Selvarani Subbarayan ◽

Pamela Paton ◽

Elliot Gemmell ◽

Iosief Abraha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Pharmacological Interventions ◽

Post Stroke

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Return to work after stroke – Feasibility of 6-year follow-up

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022618791976 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 27-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julie Phillips ◽

Kathryn Gaffney ◽

Margaret Phillips ◽

Kate Radford

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Functional Ability ◽

Feasibility Trial ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Full Time ◽

Voluntary Work ◽

Post Stroke

Introduction Little is known about long-term work sustainability of stroke survivors. A feasibility trial of early stroke specialist vocational rehabilitation had 32/46 (69.5%) participants available for follow-up at 12 months post stroke. Of these, 19/32 (59.4%) were in work. This study aims to determine the feasibility of longer-term follow-up and explore work status 6 years post stroke. Method Forty-eight participants fitting criteria for the feasibility trial were sent postal questionnaires measuring employment, income, mood, functional ability and quality of life, and were invited for interview to explore working 6 years after stroke. Ethical approval was obtained. Results Of the 48 participants, five (10.4%) had died; 19/43 (44.2%) responded. Fourteen were men; mean age 62 (24–78) years. Fourteen (74%) reported working (paid work n = 10, voluntary work n = 3, full-time education n = 1). Five had retired. Most (11/13) remained with preinjury employers. Half (8/15, 53%) reported decreased income since stroke. Compared to one year, median functional ability was marginally higher (extended activities of daily living 63 (IQR 8, range 32–66) to 60 (IQR 9, range 17–66)), but health-related quality of life was lower (EuroQuol Visual Analogue Scale mean 77.4 [SD 11] to 70.7 [SD14]). Six interviewees felt returning to work was the correct decision but struggled with invisible impairments. Conclusion This study suggests that long-term follow-up is feasible and that those who made a good recovery were more likely to respond. Work remains important to stroke survivors 6 years post stroke.

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Measuring Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors

Russian neurological Journal ◽

10.30629/2658-7947-2020-25-3-11-16 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 11-16

Author(s):

M. Tsalta-Mladenov ◽

D. Georgieva ◽

S. Andonova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Stroke Care ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Post Stroke ◽

High Dependency ◽

Evaluation Time ◽

Number Of Patients

Introduction: The number of patients living with the consequences of stroke is increasing worldwide due to the improving stroke care and the modern differentiated treatment options for ischemic stroke – thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Hence, a significant interest has arisen in quality of life (QOL) measurement in post-stroke patients. Objectives. Measuring QOL in stroke survivors can be achieved by using various generic and stroke specific questionnaires. All tools should assess different domains of health such as physical acting, communication, daily activities and others. This article describes the most commonly used scales for measuring post-stroke QOL. Methods. We searched the PubMed electronic databases with the keywords — Quality of life, Stroke, Measuring for the period from January 2000 to May 2020. Results. Various generic and specific scales for quality of life measuring are available. The advantages of the specific scales include high accuracy and detailed information for the assessed domains. The limitations are due to numerous items, long evaluation time and high dependency on patient’s compliance. The generic scales give the ability to compare the QOL in patients with different diseases. The disadvantage is lack of detailed information for the health status in certain disease or condition. Conclusion. Measuring the different aspects of QOL in post-stroke patients is powerful tool in order to focus the further efforts to the most affected domains. A combination between generic and stroke-specific measure might be considered in order to overcome the limitations. The choice of measuring scales must be balanced in the terms of lengthy and repetitive surveys.

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277 Frailty and Early Supported Discharge (ESD) Post-Stroke: Are Frail Patients Referred to ESD and is Frailty Associated with Rehabilitation Outcomes?

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz102.62 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii1-iii16

Author(s):

Marie Condon ◽

Louise O'Regan ◽

Lucy Pope ◽

Anne Barrett

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Rehabilitation Outcomes ◽

Frail Patients ◽

Early Supported Discharge ◽

Therapy Sessions

Abstract Background Frailty presents in one in four stroke survivors and can be a determinant of recovery post-stroke. Healthcare services provided at home, instead of in hospitals, results in improved outcomes for frail patients. Early supported discharge (ESD) provides multidisciplinary rehabilitation at home post-stroke. It is unknown if frail stroke survivors receive ESD and if they benefit from it. The objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of pre-stroke frailty among ESD patients and examine if frailty is associated with rehabilitation outcomes. Methods Consecutive patients in the ESD programme were assessed for pre-stroke frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) from November 2018 to April 2019. Baseline characteristics and programme outcomes were recorded, including admission and discharge scores on the Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure (FIM+FAM) and the Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life-39 measure (SAQOL-39). The duration of ESD rehabilitation and number of therapy sessions provided were also recorded. Distributions using Pearson’s Chi Squared test and associations using the Mann–Whitney U test were calculated. Results Results from 23 patients were analysed, median age 75±14.8 years, 82.6% male. The prevalence of frailty (CFS >5) was 4.3% (1/23) and pre-frailty (CFS=4) was 26.1% (6/23). Patients who were frail or pre-frail (CFS>4) were less likely to receive speech and language therapy (SLT) (z=-2.201; p=0.03) and have a lower SAQOL-39 on discharge (z=-2.294; p=0.02). No significant differences were noted in the FIM+FAM or the number of physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions provided. Conclusion Frail patients are not routinely referred for ESD post-stroke. Patients who are pre-frail or frail make similar improvements with ESD compared to non-frail patient in functional independence but not quality of life. Comparable levels of physiotherapy and occupational therapy are provided but frail patients require less SLT. Further research is needed to ascertain if frail patients are appropriate for ESD.

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