Prevalence and predictors of return to work among stroke survivors in Jordan

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 817-827
Author(s):  
Huda A. Yousef ◽  
Hanan W. Khalil ◽  
Mohammad S. Nazzal ◽  
Khalid I. El-Salem ◽  
Ziad M. Hawamdeh ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Returning to work (RTW) is an essential goal for many stroke survivors. Currently, the prevalence of RTW post stroke in developing countries such as Jordan is unknown. Additionally, more research is required to identify factors that contribute to RTW post stroke. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to (1) determine the prevalence of RTW among stroke survivors in Jordan, and (2) determine the predictors of RTW from a holistic perspective using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) 3rd edition. METHODS: Recruitment was carried out from different Jordanian hospitals and rehabilitation centers. A complete battery of outcome measures was used to reflect OTPF domains. These included outcome measures of occupations, client factors, performance skills, and context and environment. Logistic regression was used to determine factors that predicted RTW. RESULTS: 69 participants were enrolled; 45 Males, 24 females; mean age±SD, 52.2±11.07 years. Only 29% succeeded in RTW during the first year after stroke onset. The highest percentage of RTW was among craft workers (40% ), and those who were self-employed (60% ). Of those who resumed work, 35% returned to their previous work, while 65% needed to make work modifications, or change positions or jobs. Factors that predicted higher rates of RTW were walking speed (Odds ratio (OR)=0.004, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.00–0.55, P < 0.02), as well as absence of environmental restrictions (OR = 21.16, 95% CI = 1.91–233.5, P < 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The alarming low prevalence of RTW among stroke survivors in Jordan emphasizes the essential need to develop vocational rehabilitation programs. Clinicians should pay attention to enhancing walking abilities and reducing environmental restrictions post stroke, in order to improve the occurrence of RTW.

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Breen ◽  
Jeanne Andrusin ◽  
Tom Ferlito ◽  
Samantha Hobbs

Background: Return to work is a motivating goal for many stroke survivors. Little is known about the cost, length of treatment, and characteristics of patients returning to work. Methods: Prospective observational study of stroke patients treated between 12/2014-6/2016 in an interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation program addressing physical, psychosocial, cognitive, communicative, driving, and vocational issues. The estimated average cost of treatment was calculated from reimbursement amounts received for skilled PT, OT, ST, and Nurse Practitioner services, including services received after patients returned to work. Results: Of 96 consecutive patients, 48% were working prior to their stroke. Of these, 9% of patients were work capable and 44% returned to work (n=20) by rehabilitation discharge (mean program length was 8 months, maximum of 34 months). Returning workers were 70% men, mean age of 56 years, 75% ischemic strokes (4 Left, 4 Right, 3 Bi-lateral hemisphere, 4 posterior circulation), and on program admit had an average NIHSS score of 3.4 (range 0-9), 40% were aphasic, 65% needed ADL assistance (55% mRS=3, 10% mRS=4). All patients working prior to their stroke were also driving and 90% of those who returned to work also returned to driving. All patients demonstrated improvements in multiple standardized rehab outcome measures. Mean treatment cost for patients who returned to work was $17,730 (60% had costs less than $7,500; 25% had costs from $7,501-$21,000; 15% had costs from $50,000-$92,000). Services continued for 75% of patients after returning to work for an average of 3.7 months(included in mean program length of 8 months). Almost half of these patients (47%) were aphasic. Mean treatment cost for patients not returning to work was $22,561, with mean program length of 6.5 months. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that interdisciplinary, outpatient rehabilitation programs can promote successful return to work at a reasonable cost, with 60% of patients who returned to work costing less than $7500. Aphasic patients needed longer treatment, but were able to successfully return to work. Additional outcomes research is needed to understand mechanisms supporting stroke patients’ return to work and other patient-centered goals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber E Corrigan ◽  
Ben Carter ◽  
Alexander Smith ◽  
Anna Pennington ◽  
Jonathan Hewitt

Abstract Background and Purpose: The use of patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) may offer utility and provide outcome measures that are important for stroke survivors. This study used a stroke specific PROM, which contains Mental health (MH) and Physical Health (PH). The primary aim of this study was to assess the association between the MH and PH measures following a stroke and preexisting health conditions. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study at 19 hospital sites across England and Wales during 2019 was conducted. Prevalence of morbidity within PROMs was estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The association between each PROM domain and demographic and health conditions were calculated using a multilevel multivariable linear model fitting the adjusted mean difference (aMD). Results: PROM morbidity was high post stroke; 93.2% of the participants reported combined post stroke PROM morbidity. The MH domain was associated with pre-existing: diabetes, previous stroke, age, and sex. The PH domain was found to be associated with gender (female) and previous stroke, Conclusions: Stroke survivors ubiquitously suffer morbidity. Risk factors associated with worsening MH and PH morbidity have implications in clinical management as they offer an opportunity to intervene, particularly to prevent long term mental health. PROMs provide useful outcome measure that matter to stroke survivors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Duncan Millar ◽  
Frederike van Wijck ◽  
Alex Pollock ◽  
Myzoon Ali

Objective: We sought to (1) identify the outcome measures currently used across stroke arm rehabilitation randomized trials, (2) identify and compare outcomes important to stroke survivors, carers and clinicians and (3) describe where existing research outcome measures capture outcomes that matter the most to stroke survivors, carers and clinicians and where there may be discrepancies. Methods: First, we systematically identified and extracted data on outcome measures used in trials within a Cochrane overview of arm rehabilitation interventions. Second, we conducted 16 focus groups with stroke survivors, carers and clinicians using nominal group technique, supplemented with eight semi-structured interviews, to identify these stakeholders’ most important outcomes following post-stroke arm impairment. Finally, we described the constructs of each outcome measure and indicated where stakeholders’ important outcomes were captured by each measure. Results: We extracted 144 outcome measures from 243 post-stroke arm rehabilitation trials. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity section (used in 79/243 trials; 33%), Action Research Arm Test (56/243; 23%), and modified Ashworth Scale (53/243; 22%) were most frequently used. Stroke survivors ( n = 43), carers ( n = 10) and clinicians ( n = 58) identified 66 unique, important outcomes related to arm impairment following stroke. Between one and three outcomes considered important by the stakeholders were captured by the three most commonly used assessments in research. Conclusion: Post-stroke arm rehabilitation research would benefit from a reduction in the number of outcome measures currently used, and better alignment between what is measured and what is important to stroke survivors, carers and clinicians.


2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-226
Author(s):  
Patrick K. Duong ◽  
Mary Y. Egan ◽  
Matthew J. Meyer ◽  
Tricia L. Morrison

Background. Returning to work is important for many people following stroke. An estimate of the prevalence of people intending to return to work post-stroke would be helpful in planning services supporting work reintegration. Purpose. This study examined the prevalence of intention to return to work after discharge among stroke rehabilitation inpatients. Methods. We performed secondary analysis of National Rehabilitation Reporting System data for all stroke rehabilitation inpatients across Ontario (2012–2017). Intention to return to work was examined by gender, age, and level of disability. Findings. Among 25,691 stroke rehabilitation inpatients, 4,668 (18.2%) were employed pre-stroke and 2,039 (43.7%) of them intended to return to work. Intention to return to work was somewhat higher among younger and middle-aged stroke survivors and those with mild disability. Implications. Providers and planners should be aware that almost half of previously employed stroke-rehabilitation inpatients may be seeking services to assist with return to work.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxue Zhai ◽  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Quan Xu ◽  
Yanlin Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: Stroke survivors with impaired control of the ankle due to stiff plantarflexors often experience abnormal posture control, which affects balance and locomotion. Forceful stretching may decrease ankle stiffness and improve balance. Recently, a robot-aided stretching device was developed to decrease ankle stiffness of patient post-stroke, however, their benefits compared to manual stretching exercises have not been done in a randomized controlled trial, and the correlations between the ankle joint biomechanical properties and balance are unclear.Objective: To compare the effects of robot-aided to manual ankle stretching training in stroke survivors with the spastic ankle on the ankle joint properties and balance function post-stroke, and further explore the correlations between the ankle stiffness and balance.Methods: Twenty inpatients post-stroke with ankle spasticity received 20 minutes of stretching training daily over two weeks. The experimental group used a robot-aided stretching device, and the control group received manual stretching. Outcome measures were evaluated before and after training. The primary outcome measure was ankle stiffness. The secondary outcome measures were passive dorsiflexion ranges of motion, dorsiflexor muscle strength, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the Pro-Kin balance test.Results: After training, two groups showed significantly within-group improvements in dorsiflexor muscle strength, FMA-LE, BBS, MBI (P &lt; 0.05). The between-group comparison showed no significant differences in all outcome measures (P &gt; 0.0025). The experimental group significantly improved in the stiffness and passive range of motion of dorsiflexion, MAS. In the Pro-Kin test, the experimental group improved significantly with eyes closed and open (P &lt; 0.05), but significant improvements were found in the control group only with eyes open (P &lt; 0.05). Dorsiflexion stiffness was positively correlated with the Pro-Kin test results with eyes open and the MAS (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: The robot-aided and manual ankle stretching training provided similar significant improvements in the ankle properties and balance post-stroke. However, only the robot-aided stretching training improved spasticity and stiffness of dorsiflexion significantly. Ankle dorsiflexion stiffness was correlated with balance function.Clinical Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000030108.


Author(s):  
Gurumayum Sonachand Sharma ◽  
Anupam Gupta ◽  
Meeka Khanna ◽  
Naveen Bangarpet Prakash

Abstract Objective The aim of the study is to observe the effect of post-stroke depression on functional outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation. Patients and Methods The design involved is prospective observational study. The location involved is Neurological Rehabilitation unit in a tertiary care university hospital. The study period ranges from October 2019 to April 2020. The participants involved are the patients with first ever stroke, male and female with age ≥18 years and duration less than 1 year. All participants were assessed at admission and after 14 sessions of inpatient rehabilitation by depression subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). The stroke outcomes measures used were: Barthel Index (BI), Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). Results There are a total of 30 participants (18 males) with median stroke duration of 90 days. The median age of the patients was 58 years. Sixteen patients had ischemic and 14 had hemorrhagic stroke. Out of these, 57% (n = 17) had symptoms of depression (HADS-D >7). Participants in both groups (with and without depression) showed improvement in all the functional outcome measures (BI, SSS, MRS) at the time of discharge as compared with admission scores. The changes in the outcome measures were statistically significant within groups (p < 0.05) but not significant between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion The post-stroke depression is common among stroke survivors of less than 1 year duration. There was no significant difference in the functional outcomes between stroke patients with depression and those without depression with inpatient rehabilitation program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Johansen Skogestad ◽  
Marit Kirkevold ◽  
Petra Larsson ◽  
Christine Råheim Borge ◽  
Bent Indredavik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is commonly reported and described as disabling by patients recovering from stroke. However, a major challenge is how to accurately diagnose and assess PSF. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore PSF as it is experienced by stroke survivors and described by health professionals to guide future development of a PSF-specific PROM. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with stroke survivors experiencing PSF (n = 9) and three focus groups were conducted with health professionals (n = 16). Data were analyzed through inductive content analysis. Results The analysis revealed four themes illustrating the experience and descriptions of PSF: 1) PSF characteristics, 2) interfering and aggravating factors, 3) management, and 4) PSF awareness, which refers to stroke survivors first becoming aware of PSF after their initial hospital admission. Conclusion This study highlights the complexity and multidimensionality of PSF. The results from this study will guide future development of a PSF-PROM and support its content validity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026921552110007
Author(s):  
Hannah Stott ◽  
Mary Cramp ◽  
Stuart McClean ◽  
Ailie Turton

Objective: This study explored stroke survivors’ experiences of altered body perception, whether these perceptions cause discomfort, and the need for clinical interventions to improve comfort. Design: A qualitative phenomenological study. Setting: Participants’ homes. Participants: A purposive sample of 16 stroke survivors were recruited from community support groups. Participants (median: age 59; time post stroke >2 years), were at least six-months post-stroke, experiencing motor or sensory impairments and able to communicate verbally. Interventions: Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological approach and presented thematically. Results: Four themes or experiences were identified: Participants described (1) a body that did not exist; (2) a body hindered by strange sensations and distorted perceptions; (3) an uncontrollable body; and (4) a body isolated from social and clinical support. Discomfort was apparent in a physical and psychological sense and body experiences were difficult to comprehend and communicate to healthcare staff. Participants wished for interventions to improve their comfort but were doubtful that such treatments existed. Conclusion: Indications are that altered body perceptions cause multifaceted physical and psychosocial discomfort for stroke survivors. Discussions with patients about their personal perceptions and experiences of the body may facilitate better understanding and management to improve comfort after stroke.


Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi ◽  
Ardalan Shariat ◽  
Jan Dommerholt ◽  
Azadeh Hakakzadeh ◽  
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Tyagi ◽  
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh ◽  
Nan Luo ◽  
Kelvin Bryan Tan ◽  
Helen Hoenig ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Outpatient medical follow-up post-stroke is not only crucial for secondary prevention but is also associated with a reduced risk of rehospitalization. However, being voluntary and non-urgent, it is potentially determined by both healthcare needs and the socio-demographic context of stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of caregiver factors in outpatient medical follow-up (primary care (PC) and specialist outpatient care (SOC)) post-stroke. Method Stroke survivors and caregivers from the Singapore Stroke Study, a prospective, yearlong, observational study, contributed to the study sample. Participants were interviewed 3-monthly for data collection. Counts of PC and SOC visits were extracted from the National Claims Database. Poisson modelling was used to explore the association of caregiver (and patient) factors with PC/SOC visits over 0–3 months (early) and 4–12 months (late) post-stroke. Results For the current analysis, 256 stroke survivors and caregivers were included. While caregiver-reported memory problems of a stroke survivor (IRR: 0.954; 95% CI: 0.919, 0.990) and caregiver burden (IRR: 0.976; 95% CI: 0.959, 0.993) were significantly associated with lower early post-stroke PC visits, co-residing caregiver (IRR: 1.576; 95% CI: 1.040, 2.389) and negative care management strategies (IRR: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.061) were significantly associated with higher late post-stroke SOC visits. Conclusion We demonstrated that the association of caregiver factors with outpatient medical follow-up varied by the type of service (i.e., PC versus SOC) and temporally. Our results support family-centred care provision by family physicians viewing caregivers not only as facilitators of care in the community but also as active members of the care team and as clients requiring care and regular assessments.


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