Miss Katherine Sewell1,2, Professor Leeanne Carey1,2, Dr Tamara Tse1
1La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 2The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
Abstract:
Aim:
Our aim was to evaluate the independent association of depressive symptoms and stroke survivors’ perceived recovery outcomes within the first year post-stroke.
Method:
168 stroke survivors were assessed at baseline, three- and twelve-months post-stroke. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and perceived recovery was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale’s Visual Analogue Scale (SIS-VAS). Quantile regressions were conducted for SIS-VAS at the .25, median and .75 quantiles. The model was adjusted for the covariates – age at stroke onset, sex of the individual and initial stroke severity.
Result:
The presence of depressive symptoms at 3 months post-stroke was significantly and negatively associated with perceived recovery at 3 months post-stroke at each quantile (p<0.00) and at 12 months post-stroke at the median (p=0.04) and .75 quantile (p=0.02). Similarly, depressive symptoms at 12 months post-stroke was significantly and negatively associated with perceived recovery at 12 months post-stroke at each quantile (p<0.00).
Significance of findings to allied health:
Post-stroke depression is known to negatively impact functional recovery outcomes, frequently determined by measures of disability and dependence. Our findings demonstrate the impact of depressive symptoms on perceived recovery post-stroke and highlight the importance of considering recovery beyond the conventional use of clinical measures of function and neurological examinations – where it currently appears to be embedded. Further, perceived recovery is of particular significance given the widely adopted healthcare approach of patient-centred care.
Biography:
Katherine Sewell is a PhD student at La Trobe University and an honorary student at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.
Research interests include: stroke rehabilitation, stroke recovery outcomes, perceived health and post-stroke depression.
Katherine has a Master of Public Health (The University of Melbourne, 2016); a Graduate Diploma of Youth Mental Health (The University of Melbourne, 2014); a Bachelor in Psychological Sciences (La Trobe University, 2013) and a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (La Trobe University, 2012).