Quality of Life and Emotional Health of Stroke Survivors and Caregiver After Stroke Camp
Sarah S. Zaheer1, Zachary Langston1, L.A. Fowler2, Joseph P. Hanna1
1Neurology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 2University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Objective:
To assess the impact of stroke camp on stroke survivors and caregiver emotional health and quality of life.
Background:
Stroke survivors and caregivers, “stroke unit”, face untold hurdles. Physical disability can limit quality-of-life leading to depression. Following acute care and rehabilitative epoch, “stroke units” have little opportunity for shared experiences with other similar units. Stroke camps were developed to share solutions for problems encountered by “stroke units” and to develop support networks. Stroke camp’s effect on stroke survivors and caregiver is incomplete.
Design/Methods:
Stroke survivors and their caregivers registered for stroke camp completed a Beck’s Depression Inventory within the month prior to and the month following camp. An SSQOL (stroke patients) or SF-36 questionnaire (caregivers) were also completed. “Stroke units” not participating in camp were used as controls.
Results:
28 participants were enlisted; 7 stroke survivors attending camp along with their 7 caregivers and 7 “stroke units” declining camp. Completion rate was suboptimal especially in “stroke units” not attending. The camp did not have a statistically significant effect on BDI or QOL for survivors although higher QOL and lower BDI scores were seen. Caregivers’ emotional health fared best with reduction in BDI approaching significance (p= 0.07). Demographic analyses revealed that stroke survivors with higher education had a significantly higher quality of life than those with lower levels (p< 0.05). Gender and race had no effect on outcomes.
Conclusions:
Stroke units face multiple hurdles that can profoundly affect quality-of-life and emotional health. Stroke camps developed to improve these within “stroke units” insignificantly improved the emotional health and QOL of stroke survivors and even more so their caregivers. This pilot study’s design should be applied to a larger sample size powered to conclude with a high certainty whether stroke camps assist “stroke units” willing to participate with QOL and emotional well-being.