The Influence of Psychological Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life after Stroke: A Systematic Review

Abstract

There is still a paucity of studies on psychological determinants of poststroke health-related quality of life. The reviewed studies supported the importance of psychological factors, but further research is needed to supplement the available evidence and to examine how psychological factors can be modified to improve health-related quality of life, and at what moment after the stroke these interventions should be given.

Life satisfaction post stroke: The role of illness cognitions

“…actively addressing the problem) and emotion-focused (e.g. accepting situations more easily) coping styles [7]. Studies have found that problem-focused and emotion-focused coping also become more closely related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as more time elapses after a stroke, as the relationship with HRQoL was stronger at one year than at two months post stroke [32].…”

“…This is in accordance with what was found in the present study. Physical factors may play a more prominent role in life satisfaction in the acute and subacute phases post stroke, whereas psychological factors such as illness cognitions may become more important in the chronic phase [7].…”

“…A stroke can lead to permanent physical, psychological, and psychosocial consequences, such as mobility problems [2], emotional problems like anxiety and depression [3], cognitive impairments [4], and decreased life satisfaction [5,6]. Demographic factors, stroke characteristics and physical impairments are the most commonly investigated determinants of quality of life (QoL) post stroke [7]. These factors, however, do not completely explain why some patients with severe impairments adapt well, whereas other patients with minor impairments experience low levels of QoL [8].…”

The influence of music therapy on quality of life after a stroke

“…Personality problems, including increased neuroticism, are moderately related to lower assessment of HRQL perspectives, whereas coping, internal locus of control, sense of self-worth, hope, and optimism are moderately positively correlated with HRQL, and extrovertedness does not have a relationship with HRQL (Van Mierlo et al, 2014). Undoubtedly, the ability to cope in difficult situations, such as everyday functioning with the consequences of stroke, and the ability to positively solve problems are associated with higher quality of life, which was proved by the Dutch team of researchers led by Visser (Visser et al, 2015).…”

Returning to Unpaid Work after Stroke: The Psychosocial Outcomes in Stroke Cohort Study

“…Psychosocial outcomes such as depression, anxiety, employment and driving are impaired after stroke contributing to post stroke disability [1,2]. These outcomes are especially important to investigate in the working age group [3][4][5][6] where younger stroke survivors live longer than older stroke survivors [7].…”