Effects of a Self-Management Program on Adults with Stroke: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Stroke is a primary cause of long-term disability and mortality globally.
• Effective self-management is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for stroke survivors.
• Portugal faces a significant burden from stroke, necessitating improved post-stroke care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the ComVida (Bridges-PT) self-management program.
• To assess the program's impact on self-efficacy, physical function, quality of life, and emotional state.
• To determine the program's suitability for stroke survivors in Portugal.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design involving 28 stroke survivors from diverse settings.
• Implementation of the ComVida program, integrating personalized rehabilitation and a self-management workbook.
• Utilized validated instruments: SSEQ, SIS-16, HADS, and SF-12v2 for assessments at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in self-efficacy (SSEQ scores increased from 23.3 to 33.3).
• Enhanced physical function (SIS-16 scores improved from 47.5 to 67.2).
• Reduced anxiety and depression (HADS) and improved health-related quality of life (SF-12v2).

Conclusions:

• The ComVida program demonstrates potential in boosting self-efficacy and physical function post-stroke.
• The program positively impacts emotional well-being and overall quality of life for survivors.
• ComVida may serve as a beneficial addition to Portugal's stroke care continuum.