Weight Management Post-Stroke: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Obesity Research
• Neurology

Background:

• Chronic stroke survivors often experience impaired physical function and psychosocial challenges.
• Obesity is a common comorbidity in stroke survivors, potentially exacerbating functional deficits.
• The impact of intentional weight loss on recovery in this population remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on intentional weight loss effects in chronic stroke survivors.
• To examine the influence of weight loss interventions on physical function and psychosocial outcomes during stroke rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Searched PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases for experimental and observational studies.
• Utilized keywords such as obesity, BMI, body composition, and stroke.
• Included studies evaluating weight loss, physical function, and psychosocial outcomes in chronic stroke survivors, resulting in the inclusion of 4 studies.

Main Results:

• All included studies reported successful weight loss and/or improved body composition.
• Significant improvements in physical function and/or psychosocial outcomes were observed in all studies.
• Methodologies and study aims varied considerably across the included research.

Conclusions:

• Intentional weight loss shows promise for enhancing physical function and psychosocial well-being in chronic stroke survivors.
• Further research and funding are crucial to establish the efficacy of weight loss interventions for this population, particularly those with obesity.