scholarly journals Quality of life and social support: Perspectives of Saudi Arabian stroke survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 003685042094760
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman M Alshahrani

Given that stroke is an indispensable health burden in Saudi Arabia and around the world, great importance has been attached on studies of social support and other factors that could improve the quality of life of stroke survivors. Perceptions of quality of life and social support may vary depending on patients’ cultural and societal background. This research assessed the quality of life and social support of community-dwelling Saudis who survived stroke. A quantitative study was performed among 123 Saudi stroke survivors. Questionnaire-guided interviews measuring social support and quality of life were performed, and the multivariate effects of predictor variables on the four domains of quality of life were determined through multivariate multiple regression analysis. Among the dimensions of social support, support from family members had the highest average, whereas support from friends had the lowest. The environmental domain of quality of life was perceived to be the best aspect, whereas physical health was perceived to be the poorest. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, employment status, monthly family income, type of community, education, type of stroke, side of stroke and support from significant others had multivariate influences on the domains of quality of life. Several sociodemographic and disease-related variables and social support influence patients’ quality of life. The study adds critical knowledge as to how Arab stroke survivors perceive their quality of life and social support. Ensuring that stroke survivors receive adequate social support is imperative because it can improve their quality of life.

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 6911510212p1
Author(s):  
Kylie Watts ◽  
Hillary Henke ◽  
Rachel Chambers ◽  
Ahn Tran ◽  
Lynne Clarke

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nipaporn Butsing ◽  
Mathuros Tipayamongkholgul ◽  
Disya Ratanakorn ◽  
Nawarat Suwannapong ◽  
Kanitta Bundhamcharoen

AbstractSophisticated medical technologies can prolong a stroke patient’s life but not always their quality of life (QoL) due to poor functional outcomes. Social support can theoretically assist a patient’s adaptation to life after stroke and improve their QoL, but existing findings are inconclusive. This inconclusiveness is especially found in large cities where family and social bonding can be scarce. We conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study among 358 stroke patients to identify the effects of social support and functional outcome on QoL and its domains. The study took place in Bangkok, Thailand between July and December 2016. Data were collected by personal interview using a structured questionnaire that included the Short-Form WHO Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and by review of medical records. A hierarchical linear regression method was used to analyze data. The mean age of stroke respondents was 66.0 years (SD 13.5 years), and half were male. The mean total QoL score for patients was 68.6 (SD 15.2). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis found emotional support significantly impacted QoL in every domain (ps < .05) when all included variables were controlled for. To improve the quality of life among stroke survivors, health personnel and family members should provide not only physical assistance but also psychological support.


Author(s):  
Dumakazi Mapatwana ◽  
Andrew Tomita ◽  
Jonathan Burns ◽  
Lesley Robertson

Introduction: Few studies on quality of life (QoL) in the mentally ill population of South Africa have been conducted, but none in community-dwelling individuals. This study examined the QoL of psychiatric patients at community mental health clinics in Gauteng province of South Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional interview-based study was conducted on 121 adult patients attending community psychiatric clinics. To reduce the impact of acute psychiatric symptoms on subjective QoL, only clinically stable patients were included. Instruments used included the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF domains (i.e. physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) for severity of illness and a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire.Results: Just under half of the sample rated their overall QoL as good or very good. The strongest predictor of a poor QoL in all four domains was residual psychiatric symptomatology. The most severe BPRS scores were for the symptoms of depression, anxiety and somatic concern. Perceived social support significantly predicted a better QoL in the psychological, social relationships and environmental domains.Conclusion: This study highlights the negative impact of residual psychiatric symptoms on subjective QoL, and the importance of social support and enhancing QoL. If better QoL is the goal of care, then our findings highlight the importance of managing residual symptoms and promoting social support.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696821 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Marley ◽  
Bernadette Matthias ◽  
Linda Worrall ◽  
Maya Guest ◽  
Christopher Allan

BackgroundStroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Recovery is frequently compromised by reduced well-being, mood, socialisation and quality of life. Music and singing are recognised as enhancing well-being and benefit people with chronic illness. Evidence suggested that choir singing may improve the fluency of people with aphasia. Choirs existed for people with brain impairment; no studies had robust design and outcome measurement.AimTo conduct a pilot study in Newcastle, Australia in a collaboration between Hunter New England Health and the University of Newcastle. To explore the effects of choral singing on quality of life, well-being, mood, social participation and communication skills of community-dwelling stroke survivors including people with aphasia.MethodA mixed methods waitlist control design was used. 39 people at least 6 months post-stroke were assessed before and after a 12-week choir rehearsal period. Carers were invited to participate. Subjects were interviewed at the end of the period.ResultsMeasures of communication improved significantly and a trend to improvement in overall quality of life was seen. Depression and disability were significant in their impact on overall quality of life scores. Qualitative work reported increased quality of life, confidence, independence, mood and socialization and improvements in speech and communication were also reported.ConclusionOur pilot showed that a 12-week choir program for stroke survivors and carers is feasible and benefits quality of life, well-being, mood, community participation and communication in people with aphasia.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E Taylor-Piliae ◽  
Tiffany M Hoke ◽  
Joseph T Hepworth ◽  
L. Daniel Latt ◽  
Bijan Najafi ◽  
...  

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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