Article

Stroke rehabilitation programmes aim to improve functional outcomes and
quality of life. This study explored long-term outcomes in a cohort of people
admitted to two acute stroke units with stroke. Comparisons were drawn between
people with aphasia (PWA) and people without aphasia. METHODS: People admitted to
hospital with a first stroke were assessed at 2-weeks, 3-months and 6-months
post-stroke. Measures included: the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living
(ADL), the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, the General Health Questionnaire-12
for emotional well-being and the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39g.
Extended ADL and social support were also measured at 3 and 6 months, with the
Frenchay Activities Index and the Social Support Survey, respectively. RESULTS:
Of 126 eligible participants, 96(76%) took part and 87(69%) were able to
self-report. Self-report data are reported here. Although outcomes improved
significantly across time, at 6 months people continued to experience substantial
functional limitations (16% aphasic; 32% dependent on basic ADL); participation
limitations (79% </=30 on the FAI); high psychological distress (45%) and
compromised quality of life (54% </=4 on the SAQOL-39g). Levels of social support
remained relatively stable. Though at 3-months post-stroke PWA were significantly
more likely to experience high psychological distress (93% versus 50% for those
without), across time, there were no significant differences between PWA and
those without on psychological distress and also ADL and social support. There
were, however, significant differences on extended ADL (F(1,68) = 7.80, p < 0.01)
and quality of life (F(1,69) = 6.30, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PWA participated in
fewer activities and reported worse quality of life after stroke than people
without aphasia, even when their physical abilities, well-being and social
support were comparable. Implications for clinical practice and future research
are discussed.

Langue : ANGLAIS