Medication self-management interventions for persons with stroke: A scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Stroke survivors frequently require multiple medications for secondary prevention and managing comorbidities.
• Effective medication self-management is vital for improving health outcomes in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review identifying and summarizing interventions for medication self-management in adult stroke survivors.
• To analyze the reported literature on interventions aimed at improving medication management and self-care post-stroke.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases and grey literature was performed.
• Articles were included if they featured adult stroke patients and interventions improving medication management with a self-management component.
• Data extraction and descriptive content analysis were employed by two independent reviewers.

Main Results:

• Fifty-six articles met inclusion criteria, with most interventions focusing on secondary stroke prevention via risk factor and lifestyle management.
• Medication self-management was typically a component of broader interventions, often utilizing blended face-to-face and technology-based delivery.
• Medication adherence was the primary behavioral outcome, yet few interventions holistically addressed medication self-management.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant opportunity to enhance post-stroke medication self-management support.
• Future interventions should consider cross-sectoral or community-based delivery, optimal frequency/duration, and qualitative patient experiences for improvement.