Editors' note: Activity limitations and subjective well-being after stroke

Abstract

Zahuranec et al. performed a nationally representative survey to study how well activity limitations predicted subjective well-being among stroke survivors. After adjustment for other factors, they found that activity limitations were not associated with stroke survivors' subjective well-being. They concluded that while some predictors of well-being after stroke were identified, the determinants of well-being remained largely unexplained. Commenting on the article, Dr. Ganesh suggests that it would be of value to know how the models change upon adding terms for interaction of activity limitations with restriction of valued activities, chewing/swallowing issues, and pain. He quotes a study showing that a 1-month modified Rankin Scale score predicted 5-year quality of life, which included pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Zahuranec et al. explain that they did not intend to suggest that activity limitations have no bearing on subjective well-being. They agree that additional stroke research supplementing activity-based outcome scales with other factors are important. They also clarify that they had to cut out prespecified exploratory analysis assessing the interaction between restricted participation in valued activities and activity limitations due to space limitation, but they add that there was no evidence of an interaction. Zahuranec et al. performed a nationally representative survey to study how well activity limitations predicted subjective well-being among stroke survivors. After adjustment for other factors, they found that activity limitations were not associated with stroke survivors' subjective well-being. They concluded that while some predictors of well-being after stroke were identified, the determinants of well-being remained largely unexplained.