Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
05:28
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
1.1K
Return to work after stroke: A Swedish nationwide registry-based study.
Emma Westerlind1, Hanna C Persson1, Marie Eriksson2
1Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|October 30, 2019
Summary
Return to work (RTW) after stroke continues for years, with 85% achieving it. Factors like male sex, education, and self-expectations influence RTW timing, aiding personalized rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Stroke significantly impacts individuals of working age, affecting life satisfaction and societal economics.
- Early and sustained return to work (RTW) post-stroke is crucial for individual well-being and economic productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extended timeline for RTW after stroke.
- To identify predictors influencing the timing and likelihood of RTW.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sickness absence data from 1695 working-age stroke survivors (18-58 years) in Sweden (2011-2016).
- Kaplan-Meier curves for time to RTW analysis.
- Cox and logistic regression models to identify predictors of RTW.
Main Results:
- Nearly 50% returned to work within 3 months, 70% within 1 year, and 80% within 2 years.
- RTW continued over several years, with 85% achieving it within the study period.
- Favorable predictors included male sex, ischemic stroke, and higher education; unfavorable predictors were stroke severity and older age. Positive self-expectations also improved RTW odds.
Conclusions:
- RTW after stroke extends beyond previously understood timelines.
- Demographic, socioeconomic, stroke-specific factors, and self-expectations are key predictors of RTW.
- Findings support individualized rehabilitation strategies to optimize RTW outcomes.
