Life Of Stroke Survivors Research Articles

Dance after stroke improves motor recovery in the subacute phase: A randomized controlled trial

PurposeThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a dance program, combined with conventional treatments, on the motor recovery and quality of life of stroke survivors in comparison with conventional treatments alone. Materials and methodsA total of 16 subacute stroke survivors were randomized into two groups: a dance group (DG) and a conventional treatments group (CG). Stroke severity, cognitive abilities, and motor capacities were assessed at baseline. For six weeks, all participants underwent standard rehabilitation. However, in the DG, participants attended an additional weekly dance class. In both groups, the Mini-BESTest, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), ABC-Scale, Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test (LEMOCOT), quadriceps strength, and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) were measured at weeks 4 and 6. Nonparametric statistical tests were applied. ResultsCompared to the CG, the DG significantly improved recovery of balance, coordination, and FIM after four or six weeks. No differences were observed for quadriceps strength, SS-QOL, or cognition. Participants were completely satisfied with the dance class, and no adverse effects were observed. ConclusionsThis study was discontinued following the COVID-19 health crisis. However, the analysis revealed numerous beneficial effects of dance practice for subacute stroke survivors. The results contribute significantly to the advancement of artistic practices in stroke rehabilitation.

Predicting 90-Day Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke Patients Post Thrombolysis Using Machine Learning.

(1) Objective: This study aimed to construct a machine learning model for predicting the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients who underwent thrombolysis, assessed through the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 90 days after discharge. (2) Methods: Data were sourced from Qatar's stroke registry covering January 2014 to June 2022. A total of 723 patients with ischemic stroke who had received thrombolysis were included. Clinical variables were examined, encompassing demographics, stroke severity indices, comorbidities, laboratory results, admission vital signs, and hospital-acquired complications. The predictive capabilities of five distinct machine learning models were rigorously evaluated using a comprehensive set of metrics. The SHAP analysis was deployed to uncover the most influential predictors. (3) Results: The Support Vector Machine (SVM) model emerged as the standout performer, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72. Key determinants of patient outcomes included stroke severity at admission; admission systolic and diastolic blood pressure; baseline comorbidities, notably hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD); stroke subtype, particularly strokes of undetermined origin (SUO); and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs). (4) Conclusions: Machine learning can improve early prognosis prediction in ischemic stroke, especially after thrombolysis. The SVM model is a promising tool for empowering clinicians to create individualized treatment plans. Despite limitations, this study contributes to our knowledge and encourages future research to integrate more comprehensive data. Ultimately, it offers a pathway to improve personalized stroke care and enhance the quality of life for stroke survivors.

EDUKASI PENDERITA STROKE DI PUSKESMAS NOGOSARI BOYOLALI

This study focuses on the implementation of stroke education at Nogosari Boyolali Community Health Center, with an emphasis on the pivotal role of physiotherapy in the educational process. Stroke education is a crucial aspect of post-stroke care, aiming to empower patients with knowledge and skills for effective self-management. This research explores the integrated approach of physiotherapy within the educational framework, highlighting its significance in enhancing patients' physical and cognitive functions. Through a comprehensive review of educational materials and interactive sessions, patients are equipped with tailored strategies for daily living and stroke prevention. The study also evaluates the impact of this holistic education on patients' independence and overall prognosis. The findings underscore the indispensable role of physiotherapists in stroke education, emphasizing their contributions to the multidisciplinary care team. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing stroke education programs in community health settings, ultimately improving the quality of life for stroke survivors.

Acceptance of Illness and Life Satisfaction in Patients after Ischemic Stroke

Introduction. Stroke is a disease that ranks highest in terms of mortality worldwide. It is a chronic condition that affects functioning and social roles. Advanced diagnostic capabilities, appropriate care, and systematic and early rehabilitation significantly reduce mortality. The quality of life of stroke survivors changes as a result.
 Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance and satisfaction of patients after an ischemic stroke.
 Material and Methods. The study was conducted between September 2019 and December 2019 among 91 patients from the Outpatient Clinic of the Independent Municipal Health Care Facility in Zembrzyce, the Independent Public Health Care Facility in Mucharz, and patients hospitalized in the Beskid Rehabilitation and Medical Center in Jaworzno in the Neurological Rehabilitation Subunit. Two questionnaires were used for the study: the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
 Results. In terms of life satisfaction, 56% of the participants had low levels of satisfaction, while only 25% reported high satisfaction. The average acceptance of illness score among patients aged 40–60 was 24.2, indicating a good level of acceptance. The average score for satisfaction with life was 17.19, reflecting low levels of satisfaction.
 Conclusions. Higher levels of acceptance of illness were associated with increased satisfaction with life. Acceptance of illness significantly influenced life satisfaction. Chronic conditions such as stroke make acceptance of illness more challenging. (JNNN 2023;12(3):103–111)

Health-related quality of life in stroke survivors: a 5-year follow-up of The Fall Study of Gothenburg (FallsGOT)

BackgroundThere are limited data on long-term prevalence and predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in stroke survivors. Therefore, the aim was to describe the prevalence of impaired HRQoL, and to identify factors in acute stroke that are associated with impaired HRQoL, 5 years after stroke.MethodsThe 305 (60.5%) stroke survivors of the original 504 participants from The Fall Study of Gothenburg were invited to participate in a 5-year follow-up including assessment of HRQoL using the EuroQol 5 Dimensions 3 Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). To identify baseline predictors of impaired HRQoL, based on the EQ-5D-3L’s five dimensions, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 129 participants (42.3% of the survivors) completed the questionnaire at a median follow-up time of 58 months. At baseline, their mean age was 70.6 years, and they had a median NIHSS score of 1. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) EQ-5D-3L index score was 0.87 (0.71–0.93) and the median (IQR) EQ-visual analogue scale was 70 (49.8–88). In total, 102 (79%) participants were classified as having impaired HRQoL, stated primarily (among 68.5%) related to Pain/Discomfort. Higher age was identified as a predictor of impaired HRQoL related to Mobility (Odds ratio (OR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.10) and Self-Care (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17), and longer hospital stay at baseline was identified as a predictor related to Mobility (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18), Self-Care (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02–1.18)) and Usual Activities. (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.18).ConclusionAt 5 years after stroke, four out of five participants (79%) reported impaired HRQoL related to any of the five dimensions assessed by using the EQ-5D-3L. Most reported, impaired HRQoL was related to Pain/Discomfort. Higher age and longer hospital care period at index stroke were associated with impaired HRQoL. The findings could assist to identify individuals at high risk of low HRQoL, who might benefit from special attention and psychological support.

Impact of Spatial Neglect on Activity and Participation: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Post-stroke neglect is disabling, yet it is unclear whether existing assessments capture the extent neglect affects activity and participation. The objective of the study is to explore stroke survivor and caregiver perspectives on how neglect affects activity and participation and to compare their experiences to neglect assessments items. We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study by conducting semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors (n = 7) and caregivers (n = 7) analyzed using thematic analysis. Stroke survivors completed the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) and Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT). Descriptive analyses characterized participant's neglect. The standardized CBS and BIT tests indicated that stroke survivors demonstrated mild-to-moderate (CBS) or no-to-mild (BIT) neglect. In contrast, the qualitative data revealed serious safety concerns and significant ongoing difficulties participating in school, work, and family activities because of neglect. Current assessments may not measure the impact of neglect on activity or participation in life for stroke survivors.

Evaluation & Treatment of Psychological Effects of Stroke.

Strokes are a common medical condition in the United States, including in Delaware. An under-recognized effect of stroke is the impact on mood that often occurs. Many individuals develop depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological sequelae. These disorders can significantly affect their lives and their relationships. The emotional effects of stroke pose a public health problem for our residents, leading to devastating decreases in the quality of life for the patient and the family. These challenges negatively impact the community due to the associated healthcare and economic burdens. The population of the State of Delaware is growing, and the proportion of senior residents, who are also at greater risk for strokes, is also increasing. Strokes will remain an ongoing important clinical concern for our healthcare providers. Emotional changes after a stroke will occur in many Delaware residents who suffer a stroke. The emotional sequelae of stroke are under-treated. It is critical for healthcare professionals to be trained to recognize, assess, and treat the psychological disorders that can result from having a stroke. This article provides an overview of the major psychological effects of stroke, recommended assessment tools, promising treatment trends, and directions for further research. Improving our ability to detect and treat these difficult emotional challenges can facilitate effective treatment and prevention strategies and increase quality of life for stroke survivors, their loved ones, and their communities.

Re-learning mental representation of walking after a brain lesion. Effects of a cognitive-motor training with a robotic orthosis.

Stroke-related deficits often include motor impairments and gait dysfunction, leading to a limitation of social activities and consequently affecting the quality of life of stroke survivors. Neurorehabilitation takes advantage of the contribution of different techniques in order to achieve more benefits for patients. Robotic devices help to improve the outcomes of physical rehabilitation. Moreover, motor imagery seems to play a role in neurological rehabilitation since it leads to the activation of the same brain areas as actual movements. This study investigates the use of a combined physical and cognitive protocol for gait rehabilitation in stroke patients. Specifically, we tested the efficacy of a 5-week training program using a robotic orthosis (P.I.G.R.O.) in conjunction with motor imagery training. Twelve chronic stroke patients participated in the study. We evaluated balance and gait performance before and after the training. Six of them underwent fMRI examination before and after the training to assess the effects of the protocol on brain plasticity mechanisms in motor and imagery tasks. Our results show that the rehabilitation protocol can effectively improve gait performance and balance and reduce the risk of falls in stroke patients. Furthermore, the fMRI results suggest that rehabilitation is associated with cerebral plastic changes in motor networks. The present findings, if confirmed by future research, have the potential to advance the development of new, more effective rehabilitation approaches for stroke patients, improving their quality of life and reducing the burden of stroke-related disability.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR IMPROVING BALANCE IN STROKE RECOVERY: VISUAL AND VERBAL CUES AS COST-EFFECTIVE MODALITIES

Objective: Stroke is a significant global health concern, leading to high mortality and disability rates. Prompt assessment, management, and rehabilitation are crucial for improving clinical outcomes. Balance impairment is a common consequence of stroke, affecting the majority of survivors and increasing the risk of falls and disability.
 Methods: The study included 30 post-stroke hemiplegic individuals, randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group. The control group received conventional physical therapy, while the experimental group received additional visual and verbal feedback. The Berg Balance Scale was used to assess balance on days 1, 15, and 30.
 Results: Both groups showed improvements in balance scores over time. However, the experimental group consistently had higher scores, indicating a greater effect of incorporating visual and verbal cues with conventional therapy.
 Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that the combination of visual and verbal cues with conventional therapy leads to improved balance outcomes in stroke recovery. These findings support the benefits of visual feedback, verbal feedback, and mirror therapy in stroke rehabilitation. Incorporating these alternative methods can be cost-effective and accessible interventions to enhance balance, reduce fall risk, and improve the overall recovery and quality of life in stroke survivors.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPLEMENTED BACKWARD WALKING TRAINING ALONG WITH CONVENTIONAL THERAPY ON BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE

Objective: A stroke is a significant cause of mortality and disability worldwide, including in India, where it ranks as the second leading cause of death and the third most common cause of disability. Impairments in motor functions, such as balance and walking, are common consequences of stroke and have a substantial impact on functional abilities. Various rehabilitation strategies have been employed, but the effectiveness of these approaches varies.
 Methods: The study included 40 individuals with a history of stroke who met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. The control group received conventional therapy, while the experimental group received supplemented backward walking training along with conventional therapy. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI), and balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Pre-and post-test scores were collected for both groups.
 Results: The results showed that the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher improvement in BI scores (9.94%) compared to the control group (4.95%), indicating that the supplemented backward walking training had a greater impact on enhancing activities of daily living. In terms of balance, both groups showed improvements in BBS scores, with the control group exhibiting a 3.49% change and the experimental group showing a larger improvement of 7.87%. These improvements were statistically highly significant.
 Conclusion: Supplemented backward walking training, when combined with conventional therapy, has a positive impact on balance and functional outcomes in stroke patients. The results emphasize the potential of incorporating backward walking training into stroke rehabilitation programs to enhance recovery and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors. However, the study has limitations, including a relatively small sample size and short intervention duration, necessitating further research with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods to validate the effectiveness of supplemented backward walking training in stroke rehabilitation.

Effect of constraint-induced movement therapy combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on upper extremity function in stroke survivors: A protocol for systematic review

Background: Motor impairment is common after a stroke and directly affects the function and quality of life of stroke survivors. Constraint-induced movement therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation are interventions that facilitate functional recovery of the upper extremities of a particular subgroup of stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to summarize the available evidence on the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with constraint-induced movement therapy in patients with stroke. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of published articles in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Medline (via Ovid), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, using the following search terms: “stroke”; “upper extremity”; “Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy”; and “Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.” The search included published studies, conferences, and presentations. The article selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers. The 3rd and 4th reviewers will assist in resolving any disagreements that may arise between the 2 reviewers. The risk of bias in the included studies will be assessed using the PEDro scale and Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Narrative synthesis and meta-analysis will be performed based on the characteristics of the included articles, including the risk of bias (if sufficient information is available). Results: This review summarizes the available evidence and could assist therapists in choosing the best treatment for poststroke upper extremity dysfunction. Conclusion: This study will provide the available evidence on the effectiveness of CIMT and NMES on upper extremity function in patients with stroke. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required because the review will be based on publicly available literature. The findings of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and updates will be made depending on whether sufficient additional evidence modifies the conclusions of the review. Any changes made to the methods throughout the review will be stated in the article. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42023415645.

Longitudinal study of coping strategies in first-time stroke patients: association with cognitive dysfunction, stroke site and depression

BACKGROUND. Inadequate coping strategies are associated with affective disorders and poor quality of life in stroke survivors. Although coping strategies are determined by several non-modifiable factors they have been shown to change over time.
 AIM. Longitudinal assessment of coping strategies and associated factors in patients with first-ever stroke.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS. This study was a part of prospective observational study of a cohort of patients with first-ever stroke. Patients underwent standard psychiatric, neurological and cognitive assessment and CT. Patients without aphasia, severe fatigue, eye problems fulfilled the coping strategies indicator (Amirkhan J.H., 1990): 87 patients in the first week after stroke, 45 patients in the second week, 20 patients in 3 months, 21 patients in 6 months, 33 patients in 1 year after stroke. Non-parametric statistics were used.
 RESULTS. Different coping strategies were not determined by age, gender and severity of neurological deficit; there were some correlations with educational level, work status, cognitive dysfunction, stroke volume and lesion location. There were differences in the use of coping strategies in the groups with different depression manifestations: in the group with depression manifestations in the early recovery period and later, coping strategies did not differ from the control group in the acute stroke period, but since the manifestation of depression the amount of avoidance strategies increased. In the group with pre-stroke depression, a significant increase in avoidance strategies was observed in the first week after the stroke.
 CONCLUSIONS. The longitudinal study of coping strategies revealed that the use of coping strategies is a dynamic process determined by several modifiable and non-modifiable factors in combination. Coping strategies were not predictors of depression; on the contrary, depression seems to influence the choice of coping strategies.

Professional reintegration among professionally active Portuguese stroke survivors: a multicentric study

Purpose To assess professional reintegration, the perceived impact of stroke on work, and the main determinants of return to work (RTW) among stroke survivors. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was performed, based on a cohort of stroke survivors. A structured questionnaire was administered to previously working stroke survivors, 18–24 months post-stroke. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, stroke features and their impact on work, access to rehabilitation services during hospital admission and after discharge, social support, and professional reintegration were reported by 553 stroke survivors. Results On average, 56.6% (95% CI 52.4–60.8) of stroke survivors resumed professional activity, 20 months after stroke. Approximately 90% of survivors who RTW, returned to the same job and same function they performed before stroke. The majority did not receive reintegration support. The main determinants of RTW were lower age, higher socioeconomic status, and better functional status. Conclusions Professional reintegration and vocational support after stroke, remained below the international goals for community reintegration of stroke survivors. Future studies should explore the impact of professional and social reintegration on the psychological health and quality of life of stroke survivors and the barriers, challenges, and strategies used to overcome them, to allow for effective professional reintegration policies.

Automatic Post-Stroke Severity Assessment Using Novel Unsupervised Consensus Learning for Wearable and Camera-Based Sensor Datasets

Stroke survivors often suffer from movement impairments that significantly affect their daily activities. The advancements in sensor technology and IoT have provided opportunities to automate the assessment and rehabilitation process for stroke survivors. This paper aims to provide a smart post-stroke severity assessment using AI-driven models. With the absence of labelled data and expert assessment, there is a research gap in providing virtual assessment, especially for unlabeled data. Inspired by the advances in consensus learning, in this paper, we propose a consensus clustering algorithm, PSA-NMF, that combines various clusterings into one united clustering, i.e., cluster consensus, to produce more stable and robust results compared to individual clustering. This paper is the first to investigate severity level using unsupervised learning and trunk displacement features in the frequency domain for post-stroke smart assessment. Two different methods of data collection from the U-limb datasets—the camera-based method (Vicon) and wearable sensor-based technology (Xsens)—were used. The trunk displacement method labelled each cluster based on the compensatory movements that stroke survivors employed for their daily activities. The proposed method uses the position and acceleration data in the frequency domain. Experimental results have demonstrated that the proposed clustering method that uses the post-stroke assessment approach increased the evaluation metrics such as accuracy and F-score. These findings can lead to a more effective and automated stroke rehabilitation process that is suitable for clinical settings, thus improving the quality of life for stroke survivors.

An assessment of quality of life among stroke survivors at tertiary care teaching hospital in South India: A randomized clinical trial

AbstractThe study's primary aim was to examine how a stroke affects health‐related quality of life (QoL), and a secondary aim was to link this event with clinical and sociodemographic factors. Stroke patients were included in the study. First, 94 patients underwent a quantitative analytical cross‐sectional study 3 months after starting medication. Using multivariable linear regression, relationships between the severity of the initial stroke were investigated. From the raw data, we determined the standard deviation and the standard error of the mean. If the p‐value is less than .05, it is considered significant, and if it's less than .0001, it is extremely significant. The majority 94.68% were diagnosed with ischemic stroke, and only 5.32% were hemorrhagic stroke; 56.32% of the patients were male, and 43.68% were female; one‐third of the patients were found to be smokers and alcoholics; 9.57% of the patients had a family history of stroke; and 9.5% of the patients had a history of stroke. Patients with stroke comorbidities, including high blood pressure 88.19%, diabetes 51.06%, high cholesterol 22.34%, coronary artery disease 23.40%, smoking 30.85%, and alcoholism 24.46%. Significant dangers were posed by both hypertension and smoking. There was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life between the two groups, with the intervention group showing a mean difference of 112. The p‐value for this improvement was less than .0001. The quality of life of stroke survivors can be improved through direct screening, monitoring of the patient, planned therapy, and management.

The impact of rehabilitation on the community life of stroke survivors in Accra, Ghana.

Return to pre-stroke life is of great importance to stroke survivors, their families and communities as stroke affects their ability to perform activities of daily living. It is therefore important to understand the impact of stroke rehabilitation on the community life of stroke survivors in Ghana as there are limited data. Our study aimed to explore and describe the views of stroke survivors on the impact of stroke rehabilitation on their community life. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted among 15 stroke survivors recruited from three selected hospitals in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and this gave rise to several themes. The authors found that stroke left most of the survivors with functional limitations and they required various degrees of assistance to perform their activities of daily living. As the stroke survivors received rehabilitation, most of them mentioned improvements in function. However, most participants were still unable to return to work and enjoy social or leisure activities. Our study shows that attention needs to be given to the occupational and social management in rehabilitation as much as it is given to the physical management, to improve community integration post-stroke. Our study highlights the need to take into consideration the occupational and social aspects of life as part of the rehabilitation process for stroke survivors.

Scoping review of molecular biomarkers associated with fatigue, stress, and depression in stroke survivors: A protocol.

The prevalence of stroke increases each year and while mortality from stroke has decreased, the prevalence of comorbidities such as anxiety, depression and fatigue affects as many as 75% of stroke survivors. The aetiology of post-stroke fatigue is not clear, although it has been shown to be interrelated with comorbidities such as stress and depression. Due to the interconnected nature of these comorbidities, it is important to improve the specificity of diagnosis and identify novel therapeutic targets to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors. The investigation of molecular biomarkers associated with post-stroke stress, fatigue, and depression may shed light on the relationships between comorbidities and also contribute to the development of novel diagnostics and therapies. Several biomarkers have been identified for stress, depression, and fatigue, some of which are specific to stroke survivors. However, there remain several gaps in understanding, particularly in relation to the physiological mechanisms underlying these side effects and molecular biomarkers associated with post-stroke fatigue. The aim of this scoping review protocol is to outline the methodologies that will be used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current literature on biomarkers associated with post-stroke fatigue, stress, and depression, informing future research questions.

Change Over Time in the Structural Equation Model of Factors Related to Depression in Stroke Survivors Living at Home Since Discharge from the Acute Phase

Purpose: To clarify the changes in causal factors related to depression over time among stroke survivors living at home since discharge using structural equation model analysis. Methods: This was a longitudinal study using secondary data from the Stroke Recovery in Underserved Population database. This study used the Functional Independence Measure and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to assess based on data collected at three time points: at discharge, 3 months after discharge, and 12 months after discharge. Structural equation modelling analysis was performed after conducting exploratory factorial and confirmatory factorial analysis. Results: The results of factorial and structural equation modelling analysis showed that all factor loadings and model fits were acceptable. Upon comparing the three times points, the structural equation model related to depression changed. At discharge, depressive symptoms were mainly impacted by personal relationships; at three months after discharge, they were mainly impacted by physical symptoms; at 12 months after discharge, they were mainly impacted by living activities and cognitive function. Locomotion and three items related to depressive symptoms commonly appeared at all three time points. Conclusion: The factors related to depression symptoms change over time post discharge. Therefore, this study suggests that an effective rehabilitation for ensuring that stroke survivors living at home can experience high quality of life should focus, at the physical level, on activities with gaps between performance and capability for, for example, locomotion and sphincter control; at the psychological level, on ensuring that stroke survivors have access to appropriate personal relationships without stress, and intervenors should consider survivors’ depressive symptoms at each relevant time point.

Quality of life of stroke survivors in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, the factors that contribute to the reduced quality of life were not systematically investigated in long-term stroke survivors, and only a few studies have used preference-based measures to assess the quality of life. We sought to assess the quality of life in stroke survivors who comprise physical health status, psychological state, social relationship, and surrounding environment of the stroke patients. The quality of life among stroke patients was assessed with a semi-structured questionnaire using the validated Bangla Version of the World Health Organization, Quality-of-Life scale among the patients who survived beyond 28 days of first-ever stroke occurrence presenting in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the period between November 2020 and October 2021. Of the 77 patients who were identified as post-stroke patients, the mean score of overall quality of life (as assessed by Q1 and scored in a range of 1-5) was 3.14 ± 1.08. The mean scores of quality of life were highest for the psychological domain (51.18 ± 19.73) followed by environmental (52.08 ± 13.13), social (45.62 ± 22.73), and physical domains (37.18 ± 18.56). According to the classification of the Bangla Version of the World Health Organization, Quality-of-Life, 75.3% had a low physical quality of life, 37.7% had a low psychological quality of life, 53.2% had a low social quality of life, and 53.2% had a moderate environmental quality of life. The average scores for the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains were notably lower in stroke survivors with comorbid chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, and ischemic heart disease in comparison to those without such conditions. In our study, post-stroke patients with lower quality of life were associated with factors such as female gender, lower level of education, urban dwellers, and chronic diseases.

Relationships among social support, exercise capacity and quality of life of stroke survivors: A case-control study

Relationships among social support, exercise capacity and quality of life of stroke survivors: A case-control study