Structured Multidomain Cognitive Rehabilitation for Stroke: Findings From an Observational Cohort Study

Abstract BackgroundPersons with mild stroke experience minimal functional difficulties; nonetheless, they are at elevated risk for post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and cognitive decline. AimsWe report outcomes from an observational cohort study of a structured, multidomain intervention for persons with mild strokes. MethodsThe Stroke Memory RehabiliTation (SMaRT) program comprises weekly two-hour group sessions for six weeks on cognitive strategies, lifestyle and relaxation. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital between June 2018 to September 2019. They had MRI-confirmed ischemic strokes with mild functional difficulties (modified Rankin Scale score ≤3). Participants underwent assessments and questionnaires at baseline, 1-week post-program, 3 months post-program, and 6 months post-program. Results Participants (N=108, mean age=63.54±9.22, 31.5% female) demonstrated significant improvement in cognition, mood, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) (ps<0.05) across timepoints. Participants performed significantly better at 6 months post-program compared to baseline on cognitive tests (MoCA 24.47±3.22 vs. 25.80±2.83, Beta=1.26, 95% CI(0.78,1.74)), p<.001; Visual Cognitive Assessment Test (22.74±3.98 vs. 24.76±3.68, Beta=2.04, 95% CI(1.44,2.65), p<.001); 87% of participants maintained or improved in performance. At 6 months post-program, participants reported greater functional independence (Nottingham Extended ADLs Questionnaire Beta=4.20, 95% CI(2.63,5.77), p<.001); fewer depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale Beta=-1.44, 95% CI(-1.94, -0.94), p<.001); and improved QOL (Dementia-QOL Questionnaire Beta=5.28, 95% CI(1.09, 2.57), p<.001). ConclusionsThe SMaRT program is a cost-effective, scalable, structured program for PSCI. Findings suggest its potential effectiveness in reducing cognitive decline and improving other domains of well-being, with carry-over benefits after 6 months.

Download Full-text

Poorer mental health and sleep quality are associated with greater self-reported reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum: an observational cohort study

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-021-01124-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grace M. Betts ◽

Leah M. Lipsky ◽

Chelsie D. Temmen ◽

Anna Maria Siega-Riz ◽

Myles S. Faith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Observational Cohort Study ◽

Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽

Hedonic Hunger ◽

Observational Cohort

Abstract Background Depression, stress, and poor-quality sleep are common during pregnancy and postpartum, but the relationship of these factors with reward-related eating is not well understood. This observational cohort study examines associations of depression, stress, and sleep quality with self-reported reward-related eating in pregnancy and postpartum. Methods Participants were enrolled at < 12 weeks gestation and followed through 1 year postpartum. Self-reported measures obtained at baseline and 23–31 weeks postpartum included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; reward-related eating measures included the Power of Food Scale (assessing hedonic hunger), modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (assessing addictive-like eating), and frequency and intensity of cravings. Linear and logistic regression models estimated associations of depressive symptoms, stress, and sleep quality with reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as change in each predictor with change in outcome. Results During pregnancy, greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.03 ± 0.01, p < .01), higher stress (0.03 ± 0.01, p < .01), and worse sleep quality (0.03 ± 0.01, p = 0.03) were associated with greater hedonic hunger. Similarly, greater depressive symptoms (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.14, p = .01), higher stress (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.14, p = <.01), and worse sleep quality (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.18, p = .04) were associated with greater odds of addictive-like eating. These associations were also significant in postpartum except that sleep quality was not associated with hedonic hunger. Greater depressive symptoms (β ± SE = 0.06 ± 0.02, p < .01; 0.08 ± 0.02, p = <.01), higher stress (0.04 ± 0.01, p < .01; 0.06 ± 0.02, p < .01), and worse sleep quality (0.11 ± 0.03, p < .01; 0.13 ± 0.03, p < .01) during pregnancy were associated with stronger and more frequent cravings, respectively. Increased depressive symptoms from pregnancy to postpartum was associated with increased hedonic hunger (β ± SE = 1.17 ± 0.57, p = 0.01) and addictive-like eating (0.88 ± 0.33, p = 0.01), and increased stress was associated with increased hedonic hunger (1.71 ± 0.76, p = 0.02). Change in stress was not associated with change in addictive-like eating and change in sleep quality was not associated with change in either hedonic hunger or addictive-like eating. Conclusions Greater depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and poorer sleep quality are associated with greater self-reported reward-related eating during pregnancy and postpartum, suggesting that efforts to improve diet during and after pregnancy may benefit from addressing mental health and sleep. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov Registration ID – NCT02217462. Date of registration – August 13, 2014

Download Full-text