Factors influencing stroke survivors' quality of life during subacute recovery.
OBJECTIVE
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important index of outcome after stroke and may facilitate a broader description of stroke recovery. This study examined the relationship of individual and clinical characteristics to HRQOL in stroke survivors with mild to moderate stroke during subacute recovery.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-nine participants 3 to 9 months poststroke were enrolled in a national multisite clinical trial (Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation). HRQOL was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), Version 3.0. The Wolf Motor Function Test documented functional recovery of the hemiplegic upper extremity. Multiple analysis of variance and regression models examined the influence of demographic and clinical variables across SIS domains.


RESULTS
Age, gender, education level, stroke type, concordance (paretic arm=dominant hand), upper extremity motor function (Wolf Motor Function Test), and comorbidities were associated across SIS domains. Poorer HRQOL in the physical domain was associated with age, nonwhite race, more comorbidities, and reduced upper-extremity function. Stroke survivors with more comorbidities reported poorer HRQOL in the area of memory and thinking, and those with an ischemic stroke and concordance reported poorer communication.


CONCLUSIONS
Although results may not generalize to lower functioning stroke survivors, individual characteristics of persons with mild to moderate stroke may be important to consider in developing comprehensive, targeted interventions designed to maximize recovery and improve HRQOL.
Nichols-Larsen
Deborah S
DS
School of Allied Medical Professions, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. DLarsen@amp.osu.edu
Clark
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Zeringue
Angelique
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Greenspan
Arlene
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Blanton
Sarah
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012046:Rehabilitation; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012923:Social Class; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome