Long-term changes in participation after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
People who have had a stroke may have difficulty resuming some of their previous activities, which leads to a decline in their participation in daily activities and social roles. The purposes of this study were to compare participation 6 months (T1) and between 2 and 4 years (T2) after discharge from a rehabilitation unit and to verify if any changes were associated with changes in personal and environmental factors.


METHODS
Participation of people who had had a stroke was measured at T1 and T2 with the Assessment of Life Habits.


RESULTS
A significant reduction (p < .001) in participation in daily activities was observed, specifically in the following categories: nutrition, p < .001; fitness, p = .004; personal care, p < .001; and housing, p = .001. However, participation in social roles was maintained during this period (p = .10). The increased perception of technology as a facilitator (environmental factor) over time explained a part of the decline in participation (R2 = 0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
Factors associated with the reduction in participation in daily activities should be further studied in order to prevent this decline.
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Department of Rehabilitation, Research Center on Aging, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Rochette
Annie
A
Noreau
Luc
L
Bourbonnais
Daniel
D
Bravo
Gina
G
Bourget
Annick
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors