Long-term psychological outcomes following stroke: the OX-CHRONIC study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Stroke survivors prioritize long-term psychological recovery, yet data on prevalence and stability of these issues is limited.
• Understanding the long-term psychological consequences of stroke is crucial for effective patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and stability of psychological outcomes in long-term stroke survivors (2+ years post-stroke).
• To assess cognitive function, emotional distress, fatigue, and apathy in this population.

Main Methods:

• 105 long-term stroke survivors completed remote cognitive and psychological assessments.
• Ninety participants underwent a one-year follow-up assessment to evaluate outcome stability.
• Cognitive domains assessed included memory, attention, language, and executive function.

Main Results:

• High rates of cognitive impairment (45.9%), fatigue (51.4%), and apathy (40.5%) were observed.
• Attention and depression showed the most stability over one year.
• Perceptuomotor abilities and fatigue significantly declined over the follow-up year, impacting quality of life.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of long-term stroke survivors experience persistent psychological difficulties affecting quality of life.
• Stroke should be viewed as a chronic condition requiring continuous psychological monitoring and targeted interventions.