Predicting health related quality of life 6 months after stroke: the role of anxiety and upper limb dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the role of anxiety and upper limb dysfunction, amongst other variables, as predictors of health related quality of life (HRQOL) 6 months after stroke.


METHODS



METHODS
Stroke survivors (n = 85) who had previously participated in a randomised controlled trial of a physiotherapy intervention. Dependent variable: HRQOL - Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).


METHODS
Mood - Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale; Upper Limb Functioning - Action Research Arm Test; Rivermead Motor Assessment; Activities of Daily Living - Modified Barthel Index; Clinical and demographic factors.


RESULTS
Anxiety and depression significantly predicted 49% of variance in overall HRQOL (p < 0.05), but only anxiety significantly predicted NHP pain (13% variance, p < 0.001), emotional reactions (41% variance, p < 0.001), sleep (19% variance, p = 0.02) and social isolation (23% variance, p = 0.02). Depression and anxiety together significantly predicted 30% variance in energy level (p < 0.001). UL motor impairment and activities of daily living predicted 36% of variance in NHP physical activity score (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that where anxiety is assessed, it appears more important in determining HRQOL than depression. UL impairment and ADL independence predicted perceived physical activity. Management strategies for anxiety and therapy for UL recovery long after stroke onset are likely to benefit perceived HRQOL.
Social Dimensions of Health Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. j.y.morris@dundee.ac.uk
Jacqui H
JH
Morris
Frederike
F
van Wijck
Sara
S
Joice
Marie
M
Donaghy
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology