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Abstract

Adaptation to stroke requires complex, long-term change in stroke survivors' lives. This study aimed at identifying those factors that influence quality of life (QOL) of geriatric stroke survivors 1-3 years post-discharge. The objectives were: to describe the overall quality of life of stroke survivors; to examine the relationships between sociodemographic variables, neurological variables, functional status, social support, perceived health status, depression, and overall QOL; and to determine the best predictors of QOL. Data were collected on 50 stroke survivors using a cross-sectional design and standardized questionnaires, including the Quality of Life Index, the Functional Independence Measure, the Social Support Inventory for Stroke Survivors and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The overall quality of life of the study participants was low. The most important predictors of QOL were depression, marital status, quality of social support, and functional status. Depression was the strongest predictor of QOL. By employing a multi-dimensional perspective, this study confirmed that adaptation to stroke involves much more than physical function. Thus, rehabilitation programs for this group would be more effective if they are based upon a holistic approach.

Quality of life after stroke in Pakistan

“…We report an understanding of how stroke survivors and caregivers fare when they are confronted with the challenge of managing a complex condition with little institutionalized support. Our sampled stroke survivors (Table 1) are comparatively younger as compared to the West where the reported age of stroke is about a decade later [46–48]. This increased survival with DALYs in a resource strapped setting points to the huge societal impact of stroke [49].…”

“…This increased survival with DALYs in a resource strapped setting points to the huge societal impact of stroke [49]. We have found that stroke survivors were young, mostly depressed and their QOL was profoundly influenced by increased functional dependency, depression and neurologic pain [46–48]. More than two thirds of sample population lived in joint family systems with good social support.…”

Neurological Outcome and Quality of Life after Stroke due to Vertebral Artery Dissection

“…There is increasing evidence in multiple areas of medicine and in stroke that patient-centred outcomes [10, 11, 12, 13, 14], such as QOL measures, are at least as important as more traditional objective measures. Mild stroke and slight impairment can markedly decrease QOL, and poor QOL has been reported even in stroke patients no longer physically disabled or dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) [12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17].…”

“…Mild stroke and slight impairment can markedly decrease QOL, and poor QOL has been reported even in stroke patients no longer physically disabled or dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) [12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]. Additionally, stroke scale scores that quantify the neurological examination may be insensitive to some stroke sequelae that are devastating to the patient (e.g., eye movement disorders, neurogenic post-stroke pain syndromes).…”

Effect of home-based training using a slant board with dorsiflexed ankles on walking function in post-stroke hemiparetic patients

“…The incidence of gait disturbance due to hemiparesis is reportedly relatively high among chronic stroke patients1, 2 ) . The occurrence of this disability leads to marked impairment of quality of life and the sense of well-being3, 4 ) . In addition, the burden of caregivers is anticipated to increase when patients are in need of assistance for walking5 ) .…”