'Insistence on recovery' as a positive prognostic factor in Japanese stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
The present study used two-step analyses to examine the effect of acceptance of disability or 'insistence on recovery' in Japanese stroke patients: first on their functional improvement and second, on their psychological symptoms.


METHODS
Disability was assessed using functional independence measurements (FIM), examining the stage of acceptance of disability by observation using Fink's theory (from shock to defensive retreat, acknowledgement, and acceptance/change stage), and estimation of insistence on recovery (on a scale of 1-4) by observation. The differences over time and the effects on the improvement in their FIM were then assessed. Depression was measured using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS); apathy was measured using the Apathy Scale (AS), and the correlation with the acceptance stage or insistence on recovery was analyzed.


RESULTS
The acceptance stage and functional improvement progressed significantly, but insistence on recovery did not change significantly during hospitalization. Multiple regression indicated that the insistence on recovery score (but not the acceptance stage) was a good predictor of the degree of improvement in FIM (FIM gain per week) in the elderly group. Post-hoc testing showed that the SDS or AS score decreased from the first stage to the fourth stage (but increased at the third stage) of acceptance; whereas for insistence on recovery score, the SDS and AS scores decreased as insistence on recovery score changed from 1 to 3, and then increased as insistence on recovery score changed from 3 to 4.


CONCLUSIONS
The appropriate level of insistence on recovery reduced depression and apathy, resulting in enhanced improvement of disability after a stroke in elderly stroke patients.
Hama
Seiji
S
Department of Rehabilitation, Nishi-Hiroshima Rehabilitation Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. shama@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Yamashita
Hidehisa
H
Kato
Toyohiko
T
Shigenobu
Masaya
M
Watanabe
Atsuko
A
Sawa
Megumi
M
Kurisu
Kaoru
K
Yamawaki
Shigeto
S
Kitaoka
Tamotsu
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003469:Culture; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation