Community-dwelling Stroke Patients Research Articles

Comparison of psychometric properties of the dual-task timed up-and-go test (cognitive) and the 3-m walk backward test in community-dwelling stroke patients

ABSTRACT Background There is a need for practical, easy-to-use and accurately assessing balance tools in stroke patients. Objectives This study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the dual-task Timed Up-and-Go test (cognitive) (DTUG) and the 3-m walk backward test (3MBWT) in stroke patients. Methods This study evaluated the practicality, validity, and reliability of the DTUG and the 3MBWT. The test-retest method was used for reliability. The Modified Four Square Step Test (MFSST), the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were administered for concurrent validity. A cutoff value was calculated to discriminate between fallers and non-fallers. Results The mean practicality times of the tests were 63.58 ± 47.32 sec for DTUG and 37.42 ± 24.036 sec for 3MBWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient of the DTUG and 3MBWT were 0.977, 0.964, respectively which showed excellent test – retest reliability. The DTUG demonstrated strong/very strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.724, p < 0.001), TUG (r = 0.909, p < 0.001), and BBS (r = –0.740, p < 0.001). The 3MBWT showed strong correlations with the MFSST (r = 0.835, p < 0.001), the TUG (r = 0.799, p < 0.001), and the BBS (r = –0.740, p < 0.001). The cutoff point was 36.945 s for DTUG and 14.605 s for 3MBWT. Conclusions The 3MBWT was a more practical test than the DTUG; however, the DTUG was more discriminative than the 3MBWT in identifying fallers after stroke. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT05211349 URL https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000BRKZ&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0005GRO&ts=2&cx=z21bhg

Status and Barriers of Physical Activity and Exercise in Community-Dwelling Stroke Patients in South Korea: A Survey-Based Study.

This study aimed to examine the physical activity and exercise status of stroke patients in the community after discharge and the need for community-based exercises. This study included 100 community-dwelling patients with stroke in South Korea. The survey investigated the self-assessment of health status and physical activity, demand for community-based exercise after discharge, quality of life, and social participation. Overall, 96% of the respondents recognized the need to exercise, and two-thirds exercised. The third who did not exercise cited disability (29%), lack of facilities (22%), and health concerns (13%); only 21% of participants had ever used a community exercise facility, and their satisfaction with the facility was low. The main reasons for not using community exercise facilities were concerns about accidents during exercise and accessibility issues. Among real-world community stroke patients, those who exercised regularly had higher EuroQol-5D and reintegration to normal living indices than those who did not exercise (p < 0.05). Although community-dwelling stroke patients were highly aware of the need for physical activity and exercise, few engaged in adequate exercise. This lack of engagement is directly linked to identifiable personal and socio-structural barriers. Addressing these barriers will improve the quality of life and social participation of patients with stroke.

지역사회 거주하는 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 근육긴장도와 시공간적 보행의 상관관계: 사전연구

지역사회 거주하는 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 근육긴장도와 시공간적 보행의 상관관계: 사전연구

Additional therapy promotes a continued pattern of improvement in upper-limb function and independence post-stroke

BackgroundUpper-limb motor impairment after stroke is common and disabling. Growing evidence suggests that rehabilitation is effective in the chronic period. However, there is limited knowledge on the effects of ongoing targeted rehabilitation programs on patient outcomes. ObjectivesThis study investigated the effects of delivering two programs of dose-matched evidence-based upper-limb rehabilitation to community-dwelling post-acute stroke patients with low, moderate and high motor-function. Materials and methods12 patients (2 female) aged 50.5±18.2 years and 13.8±10.8 months post-stroke completed 2-weeks of modified-Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy followed by 2-weeks of Wii-based Movement Therapy after a mean interval of 9.6±1.1 months (range 6-19months). Function was assessed at 6 time points (i.e. before and after each therapy program and 6-month follow-up after each program). Primary outcome measures were the Wolf Motor Function Test timed-tasks (WMFT-tt), upper-limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (F-M) and the Motor Activity Log Quality of Movement Scale (MALQOM). Improvement and maintenance was analyzed using Paired T-Tests and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests. ResultsUpper-limb function significantly improved on all primary outcome measures with the first therapy program (WMFT-tt p=0.008, F-M p=0.007 and MALQOM p<0.0001). All scores continued to improve with the second therapy program with significant improvements in the F-M (p=0.048) and the MALQOM (p=0.001). ConclusionsAll patients showed a pattern of continued improvement in upper-limb motor-function and independence in activities of daily living. These improvements demonstrate the benefit of ongoing post-stroke rehabilitation for community-dwelling stroke survivors for individuals of varying baseline functional status.

Comprehensive and Structured 3-month Stroke Follow-up Using the Post-stroke Checklist (The Struct-FU study): A Feasibility and Explorative Study

BackgroundThere is recent evidence supporting that a comprehensive post-stroke treatment program improves outcome. However, the prevalence of stroke-related health problems and the extent of needed interventions have not been well-delineated. The Struct-FU study aims to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive stroke follow-up model and to map stroke-related problems and subsequent multidisciplinary interventions using a modified Post-stroke Checklist (PSC). MethodsWe consecutively screened all acute stroke patients at Skåne University Hospital, Sweden during an eight-month period in 2018–2019. Patients discharged to own home were eligible for inclusion. We defined a stroke-related health problem as a health- or social issue corresponding to one of the 14 items in the modified PSC, and with onset after the stroke event. Three-months post-stroke, a semi-structured interview using a 14-item modified PSC was completed to map the prevalence of stroke-related health problems, as well as any subsequent multidisciplinary stroke team interventions prompted by the visit. ResultsThe number of included patients was 200. Of these, 165 (82.9%) completed three-month follow-up, one died, and 34 were lost to follow-up. All patients completed the full PSC, and the majority (92.7%) reported stroke-related problems identified using the PSC, with the median number being three per patient, and half having four or more problems. Patients <=65 years (n=44) presented with more stroke-related problems than patients >65 years (n=121) (5 vs. 3, p=0.003). The median number of interventions was two per patient. Doctor's interventions (changes in medication, referrals or further work-up) were done in 53% of patients, 77% needed a nurse's or other stroke team professional's intervention (tailored advice, information, audits, rehabilitation assessments) and 15% needed no intervention. Only 3.6% of patients reported other stroke-related challenges (PSC item 14) than those specified in item 1–13. ConclusionWe report a high burden of stroke-related health problems in community dwelling stroke patients with mild to moderate stroke. Multidisciplinary interventions were prompted in the vast majority (85%). Only 3.6% of patients reported challenges not captured with the Post-stroke Checklist, reflecting that the comprehensive approach captures the majority of stroke-related health problems, and gives a good estimate of the total stroke-related health burden for each individual.

Malondialdehyde as a Useful Biomarker of Low Hand Grip Strength in Community-Dwelling Stroke Patients.

The assessment of muscle strength by hand grip strength (HGS) is used to evaluate muscle weakness and wasting among stroke patients. This study aimed to investigate the association of oxidative stress/oxidative damage and inflammatory biomarkers with muscle strength and wasting, as evaluated by HGS, among community-dwelling post-stroke patients. The HGS of both paretic and non-paretic limbs was negatively associated with modified Rankin scale (mRS) values. The serum levels of catalase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA), and plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were significantly increased in post-stroke patients compared with non-stroke controls. Further analysis highlighted that hydrogen peroxide was positively correlated with HGS in the paretic limbs. Interestingly, an elevated MDA level, excluding advanced age and high mRS, increased the risk of low HGS in the non-paretic limbs of stroke patients. This study suggests that there is a detrimental association between MDA and muscle strength and early muscle wasting among post-stroke patients. Hence, MDA is a potentially useful biomarker of muscle weakness and wasting in post-stroke patients living in the community.

지역사회 거주 뇌졸중 환자의 여가 참여 및 여가 탐색 조사

지역사회 거주 뇌졸중 환자의 여가 참여 및 여가 탐색 조사

Adaptive conjunctive cognitive training (ACCT) in virtual reality for chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial

BackgroundCurrent evidence for the effectiveness of post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation is weak, possibly due to two reasons. First, patients typically express cognitive deficits in several domains. Therapies focusing on specific cognitive deficits might not address their interrelated neurological nature. Second, co-occurring psychological problems are often neglected or not diagnosed, although post-stroke depression is common and related to cognitive deficits. This pilot trial aims to test a rehabilitation program in virtual reality that trains various cognitive domains in conjunction, by adapting to the patient’s disability and while investigating the influence of comorbidities.MethodsThirty community-dwelling stroke patients at the chronic stage and suffering from cognitive impairment performed 30 min of daily training for 6 weeks. The experimental group followed, so called, adaptive conjunctive cognitive training (ACCT) using RGS, whereas the control group solved standard cognitive tasks at home for an equivalent amount of time. A comprehensive test battery covering executive function, spatial awareness, attention, and memory as well as independence, depression, and motor impairment was applied at baseline, at 6 weeks and 18-weeks follow-up.ResultsAt baseline, 75% of our sample had an impairment in more than one cognitive domain. The experimental group showed improvements in attention ( {chi}_F^2 (2) = 9.57, p < .01), spatial awareness ( {chi}_F^2 (2) = 11.23, p < .01) and generalized cognitive functioning ( {chi}_F^2 (2) = 15.5, p < .001). No significant change was seen in the executive function and memory domain. For the control group, no significant change over time was found. Further, they worsened in their depression level after treatment (T = 45, r = .72, p < .01) but returned to baseline at follow-up. The experimental group displayed a lower level of depression than the control group after treatment (Ws = 81.5, z = − 2.76, r = − .60, p < .01) and (Ws = 92, z = − 2.03, r = − .44, p < .05).ConclusionsACCT positively influences attention and spatial awareness, as well as depressive mood in chronic stroke patients.Trial registrationThe trial was registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02816008) on June 21, 2016.

Factors associated with successful home discharge after inpatient rehabilitation in frail older stroke patients

BackgroundStroke is a highly prevalent disease among older people and can have a major impact on daily functioning and quality of life. When community-dwelling older people are hospitalized due to stroke, discharge to an intermediate care facility for geriatric rehabilitation is indicated when return to the previous living situation is expected but not yet possible. However, a substantial proportion is still unable to return home after discharge and has to be admitted to a residential care setting. This study aims to identify which factors are associated with home discharge after inpatient rehabilitation among frail and multimorbid older stroke patients.MethodsThis study is a longitudinal cohort study among 92 community-dwelling stroke patients aged 65 years or over. All patients were admitted to one of eight participating intermediate care facilities for geriatric rehabilitation, under the expectation to return home after rehabilitation. We examined whether 16 potentially relevant factors (age; sex; household situation before admission; stroke history; cardiovascular disorders; diabetes mellitus; multimorbidity; cognitive disability; neglect; apraxia; dysphagia; urinary and bowel incontinence; emotional problems; sitting balance; daily activity level; and independence in activities of daily living) measured at admission were associated with discharge to the former living situation. Logistic regression analysis was used for statistical analysis.ResultsMean age of the patients was 79.0 years (SD 6.4) and 51.1% was female. A total of 71 patients (77.1%) were discharged to the former living situation within 6 months after the start of geriatric rehabilitation. Of the 16 factors analysed, only a higher level of independence in activities of daily living at admission was significantly associated with home discharge.ConclusionsOur study shows that the vast majority of previously identified factors predicting home discharge among stroke patients, could not predict home discharge among a group of frail and multimorbid older persons admitted to geriatric rehabilitation. Only a higher level of independence in activities of daily living at admission was significantly related to home discharge. Additional insight in other factors that might predict home discharge after geriatric rehabilitation among this specific group of frail older stroke patients, is needed. Trial registration: ISRCTN ISRCTN62286281. Registered 19-3-2010.

Development and Local Contextualization of Mobile Health Messages for Enhancing Disease Management Among Community-Dwelling Stroke Patients in Rural China: Multimethod Study.

BackgroundRural China has experienced an increasing health burden because of stroke. Stroke patients in rural communities have relatively poor awareness of and adherence to evidence-based secondary prevention and self-management of stroke. Mobile technology represents an innovative way to influence patient behaviors and improve their self-management.ObjectiveThis study is part of the System-Integrated Technology-Enabled Model of Care (the SINEMA trial) to improve the health of stroke patients in resource-poor settings in China. This study aimed to develop and pilot-test a mobile phone message–based package, as a component of the SINEMA intervention.MethodsThe SINEMA trial was conducted in Nanhe County, Hebei Province, China. A total of 4 villages were selected for pretrial contextual research and pilot study. The 5 stages for developing the mobile phone messages were as follows: (1) conducting literature review on existing message banks and analyzing the characteristics of these banks; (2) interviewing stroke patients and caregivers to identify their needs; (3) drafting message contents and designing dispatching algorithms for a 3-month pilot testing; (4) collecting feedback from pilot participants through questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews on facilitators and barriers related to their acceptance and understanding of messages; and (5) finalizing the message-based intervention based on participants’ feedback for the SINEMA trial.ResultsOn the basis of 5 existing message banks screened out of 120 papers and patients’ needs identified from 32 in-depth interviews among stroke patients and caregivers, we developed a message bank containing 224 messages for a pilot study among 54 community-dwelling stroke patients from 4 villages. Of 54 participants, 51 (response rate: 94.4%) completed the feedback survey after receiving daily messages for 3 months. Participants’ mean age was 68 years (SD 9.2), and about half had never been to school. We observed a higher proportion of participants who were in favor of voice messages (23/42, 54%) than text messages (14/40, 35%). Among participants who received voice messages (n=43) and text messages (n=40), 41 and 30, respectively, self-reported a full or partial understanding of the contents, and 39 (39/43, 91%) and 32 (32/40, 80%), respectively, rated the messages as helpful. Analyses of the 32 interviews further revealed that voice messages containing simple and single-theme content, in plain language, with a repeated structure, a slow playback speed, and recorded in local dialect, were preferred by rural stroke patients. In addition, the dispatching algorithm and tools may also influence the acceptance of message-based interventions.ConclusionsBy applying multiple methodologies and conducting a pilot study, we designed and fine-tuned a voice message–based intervention package for promoting secondary prevention among community-dwelling stroke patients in rural China. Design of the content and dispatching algorithm should engage both experts and end users and adequately consider the needs and preferences of recipients.

Psychometric Properties of the Korean Dispositional Hope Scale Using the Rasch Analysis in Stroke Patients.

Background It is reported that hopeful thinking plays a positive role in encouraging patients to achieve functional goals during the rehabilitation process. Hope is a key concept in evaluating stroke outcomes in research and rehabilitation practice. Aims The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Korean Dispositional Hope Scale (K-DHS) using the Rasch analysis in patients with hemiplegic stroke. Methods The K-DHS was completed by 166 community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients in Korea. Data were analyzed according to item fit, item difficulty, and the appropriateness of the rating scale using the Rasch analysis. Results Item fit analysis showed that 8 items of the K-DHS are appropriate because the infit MSNQ was between 0.7 and 1.3. Item difficulty results revealed that there is a difference in distribution between personal attributes and item difficulty. It shows that the item fit statistics of the 4-point Likert scale of K-DHS are all good. The person separation index demonstrated that the K-DHS could differentiate two or three hope status strata in stroke patients. The item separation index indicated that the items were useful with high reliability. Conclusion The K-DHS comprises appropriate items for measuring the hope of stroke patients living in the community, and the rating scale of the K-DHS is also appropriate. This study is the first to conduct an analysis of the rating scale and its appropriateness, as well as the difficulty of items based on item response theory, and offers new insights for enhancing hope and improving well-being following stroke.

Chinese Medicine body constitution of community-dwelling stroke patients in Hong Kong

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is not used extensively in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence (USI) due to the poor reproducibility of the techniques used. We describe a new approach to laparascopic implantation, of which dissection of the vesicovaginal space is an essential step. This enables an approach under direct vision to the posterior surface of the bladder neck.We present two cases where this approach was used. A transperitoneal approach was made in the Trendelenburg position. The main steps were: creating the vesicovaginal space until identifying the bladder neck, creating two laterovesical spaces, communicating these with the vesicovaginal space, and dissecting the anterior surface of the bladder neck, attempting to preserve the pubovesical ligament. The cuff and reservoir were inserted through the 12 mm infraumbilical trocar. The connections were externalized through a left suprapubic incision and a subcutaneous tunnel created up to the labia majora where the activation pump was placed. The procedure was completed with closure of the peritoneum. It is essential to use a vaginal valve to facilitate dissection.Surgery time: 140 and 135 min, with no intraoperative complications. After removing the urinary catheter, one patient had elevated postvoid residual urine volume, which was managed conservatively. Hospital stay: 72 h. At 3 and 9 months the patients were fully continent.We present the preliminary results of laparoscopic implantation of an AUS through a vesicovaginal approach to the posterior surface of the bladder neck, which might reduce potential complications that have been observed after the routine techniques.El esfínter urinario artificial (EUA) no está extendido en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) femenina debido a la baja reproducibilidad de las técnicas empleadas. Describimos un nuevo abordaje de implante laparoscópico, cuyo paso fundamental consiste en disecar el espacio vesicovaginal. Esto permite una aproximación bajo visión directa a la cara posterior del cuello vesical.Presentamos dos casos realizados con esta aproximación. Se realiza un abordaje transperitoneal en posición de Trendelenburg. Los principales pasos son: creación del espacio vesicovaginal hasta identificar el cuello, creación de dos espacios laterovesicales, comunicación de los mismos con el espacio vesicovaginal y disección de la cara anterior del cuello intentando preservar el ligamento pubovesical. El manguito y reservorio se introducen a través del trocar infraumbilical de 12 mm. Por una incisión suprapúbica izquierda se externalizan las conexiones y se crea un túnel subcutáneo hasta el labio mayor, donde se coloca la bomba de activación. Finaliza el procedimiento con el cierre del peritoneo. Es fundamental la utilización de una valva vaginal para facilitar la disección.Tiempo quirúrgico: 140 y 135 min, sin complicaciones intraoperatorias. Tras la retirada de la sonda vesical una paciente presentó residuo posmiccional elevado que se manejó de forma conservadora. Estancia hospitalaria: 72 h. A los 3 y 9 meses, las pacientes presentaron continencia total.Presentamos resultados preliminares de implante laparoscópico de EUA mediante la aproximación vesicovaginal a la cara posterior del cuello, que podría disminuir las potenciales complicaciones observadas con las técnicas habituales.

Identifying unmet needs in long-term stroke care using in-depth assessment and the Post-Stroke Checklist - The Managing Aftercare for Stroke (MAS-I) study.

Detailed data on the long-term consequences and treatment of stroke are scarce. We aimed to assess the needs and disease burden of community-dwelling stroke patients and their carers and to compare their treatment to evidence-based guidelines by a stroke neurologist. We invited long-term stroke patients from two previous acute clinical studies (n = 516) in Berlin, Germany to participate in an observational, cross-sectional study. Participants underwent a comprehensive interview and examination using the Post-Stroke Checklist and validated standard measures of: self-reported needs, quality of life, overall outcome, spasticity, pain, aphasia, cognition, depression, secondary prevention, social needs and caregiver burden. Fifty-seven participants (median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 10 interquartile range 4-12.75) consented to assessment (median 41 months (interquartile range 36-50) after stroke. Modified Rankin Scale was 2 (median; interquartile range 1-3), EuroQoL index value was 0.81 (median; interquartile range 0.70-1.00). The frequencies for disabilities in the major domains were: spasticity 35%; cognition 61%; depression 20%; medication non-compliance 14%. Spasticity (p = 0.008) and social needs (p < 0.001) had the strongest impact on quality of life. The corresponding items in the Post-Stroke Checklist were predictive for low mood (p < 0.001), impaired cognition (p = 0.015), social needs (p = 0.005) and caregiver burden (p = 0.031). In the comprehensive interview, we identified the following needs: medical review (30%), optimization of pharmacotherapy (18%), outpatient therapy (47%) and social work input (33%). These results suggest significant unmet needs and gaps in health and social care in long-term stroke patients. Further research to develop a comprehensive model for managing stroke aftercare is warranted.Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT02320994.

Immediate synergistic effect of a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force and an ankle-foot orthosis on hemiplegic gait.

PurposeThe synergistic effects of a trunk orthosis and an ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) in stroke patients with a hemiplegic gait are unclear. We previously developed a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force (TORF) to modify malalignment of the trunk and pelvis and confirmed its positive effects in stroke patients during level walking without an AFO. The aim of the present study was to determine if this trunk orthosis and an AFO have synergistic effects during level walking in community-dwelling patients with chronic stroke.MethodsTwenty-eight community-dwelling stroke patients performed level walking at a self-selected speed with an AFO and again while wearing a TORF (TORF group) or a corset (control group). Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data were recorded using a three-dimensional motion analysis system.ResultsWhen compared with the control group, the TORF group showed significant increases in walking speed, number of steps on the paretic leg per minute, and peak ankle plantar flexion moment during the single stance phase.ConclusionThe TORF increased the ankle joint plantar flexion moment at the end of the single stance phase during level walking in stroke patients, leading to an increase in their gait speed because of the modified trunk and pelvis alignment.

The sensitivity and specificity of the Falls Efficacy Scale and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale for hemiplegic stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study attempted to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) for community residents with hemiplegic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The FES and the ABC data were collected for a sample of 99 community-dwelling hemiplegic stroke patients in Korea. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off values, and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess the overall accuracy of each balance test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the predictors of falling. [Results] The cut-off value was 63.75 in the ABC and 66.50 in the FES. The sensitivity and specificity of the ABC was 41.3% and 92.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the FES was 69.8% and 63.9%, respectively. The AUC was 0.691 for the ABC and 0.678 for the FES. The ABC explained 28.0% of the variance in the experience of falls. [Conclusion] The ABC has the ability to determine non-fallers, and it was a good explanatory factor of experience of falls.

Post Soft Care: Italian implementation of a post-stroke checklist software for primary care and identification of unmet needs in community-dwelling patients.

The needs of community-dwelling stroke patients are often not fully addressed. The Global Stroke Community Advisory Panel had developed the Post Stroke Checklist (PSC) with the aim of standardizing long-term stroke assessment and consequently care of patients. PSC has been validated for UK and Singapore, and an Italian version has been proposed. The aim of this study is to assess the needs of community-dwelling Italian stroke patients using an online version of PSC. Secondary aim is to assess utility of PSC for patients and clinicians. The PSC was administered to a sample of 64 patients with stroke in Italy by general practioners. PSC is a questionnaire formed by 11 questions, each one covering a domain identified as important for patients' health. After administration of PSC, patient and clinician satisfaction with the PSC was assessed by a specific questionnaire. The PSC identified specific problems for patients related to a worsening from the last examination not evaluated by any specialist. The online PSC highlighted problems related to mood, (in 50% of sample), mobility (53.1%), spasticity (42.2%), and pain (37.5%). Both patients and clinicians provided good results about the utility of online PSC. The PSC was confirmed to be a useful tool for identifying the needs of community-dwelling patients with stroke. Particular attention should be deserved to problems related to mood, mobility, and hence participation to social life, pain, and spasticity. For taking into account these aspects, the online PSC can be a useful portable tool for clinicians.

Using the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule (2) to assess disability in community-dwelling stroke patients.

BackgroundMeasurement of the extent of disability post-stroke is important to determine the impact of disability on these individuals and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the impact of their disability. Instruments used to measure disability should, however, be culturally sensitive.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to conduct a disability assessment using the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS).MethodsA cross-sectional design was used. The study population included a conveniently selected 226 stroke patients living within community settings. These patients were followed up 6–12 months following the onset of the stroke and are currently residing in the community. Disability was measured using the WHODAS 2.0 and the data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The WHODAS 2.0 enabled the assessment of disability within the domains of cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along with others, household activities, work activities and participation. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the University of the Western Cape.ResultsIn this sample, the domain mostly affected were household activities, with 38% having extreme difficulty with conducting these activities. This was followed by mobility (27%) and self-care (25%) being the domains that participants also had extreme difficulty with. Getting along with others was the domain that most (51%) of the participants had no difficulty with. ANOVA one-way test showed no significant association of participation restrictions with demographics factors.ConclusionRehabilitation of patients with stroke should focus on the patient’s ability to engage in household activities, mobility and self-care.

Association between Stroke Status and Depression in a Community Setting: The 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background and PurposePrevious studies have examined the risk factors for depression in stroke patients, but little information is available on the relationship between stroke status and depression in the community-dwelling general population. We evaluated the association between stroke status and depression using representative nationwide data.MethodsIn total, 3,487 subjects (aged ≥40 years) who participated in version VI-2 of the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) performed in 2014 were included. We compared the prevalence of depression in 120 community-dwelling stroke patients and 3,367 nonstroke controls using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsThe prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10) was 16.7% in stroke patients and 6.4% in controls. In the unadjusted model, depression was more common in stroke patients than in nonstroke controls [odds ratio (OR), 2.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.79–4.86]. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, health-related behaviors, and comorbidities, stroke diagnosis was a significant risk factor for depression (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.06–3.24). Specifically, a diagnosis of stroke in patients aged <60 years (OR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.81–8.09) and the presence of stroke complications (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.25–6.13) remained significant risk factors for depression even after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsIn a community setting, poststroke survivors had a higher prevalence of depression, and stroke was an independent risk factor for depression. Public psychosocial interventions are needed to improve the mental health care of community-dwelling stroke survivors.

Correlation of family functioning and depression in primary caregivers of community-dwelling stroke patients

Objective To determine the correlation between family functioning and depression in primary care givers of community-dwelling stroke patients. Methods Totally 200 caregivers of stroke patients were investigated using Family Assessment Device (FAD) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results The mean score of family functioning of primary caregivers of stroke patients was 2.21±0.38. The mean score of depression was 10.19±3.17. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between family functioning and depression (r=-0.551, P < 0.01). Conclusions It is suggested to take actions to enhance the family functioning of primary care givers of stroke patients, especially their problem solving and affective response. Key words: Stroke; Family relations; Depression; Correlation analysis

The Relationship of Physical Impairment, Physical Activity Level, And Fall Rates In The Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the relationship of physical activity level (PAL), physical impairment and fall rates in community dwelling stroke patients. The physical impairment included motor recovery, functional ability and spasticity. METHOD: This study included twenty community-dwelling stroke patients (mean age: 64.4± 9.57 yrs; time since stroke: 2.3±2.4 yrs). All subjects could ambulate 10 m with or without walk-aid. The participants recalled the history of falls in the past half year. Motor recovery was assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA).Spasticity of hemi-paretic limbs were measured by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand (FTSS) was to evaluate the functional ability. RT3 tri-axial accelerometers were used to measured energy expenditure(kcal/min) for estimating PAL.Subjects wore the sensors on the non-paretic hip for three consecutive days. Pearson product-moment correlation was performed to investigate relationships between PAL (kcal/kg/day) and FMA, and FTSS. Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the difference of PAL between non-fallers and fallers, and between mild (MAS score 1~2) and moderate (MAS score 3~4) spasticity subjects. Linear multiple regressions were for the analysis of predictive effects between the related factors and PAL. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of PAL, FMA, and FTSS were 27.12±3.55 (kcal/kg/day), 174.45±47.91, 17.94±8.74 (secs) respectively. PAL showed moderate positive correlation with FMA (r = .46; p<0.5) and moderate negative correlation with FTSST(r = -.50; p<0.5). There was no significant difference (p=.24) for PAL between mild and moderate spasticity groups (28.32±1.26 vs. 25.66±0.65 kcal/kg/day, p=.24). PAL between twelve non-fallers and eight fallers were 28.44±1.13 vs. 25.14±.5 kcal/kg/day showed significant difference (p=.03). Linear regression analysis showed FTSS contributed 25% of the explained variance (p<.05) and is the most relevant factor to affect PAL. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated functional ability and motor function were the important factors to influence PAL of community dwelling stroke patients and a lower PAL were related to increase fall risk. Clinicians should prescribe the treatment strategy focus on improving functional ability and motor function to promote higher PAL of stroke survivors.