The relationship between social impairment and recovery from stroke

The effect of social functioning and depression on recovery from stroke was examined in 142 patients with acute stroke who were followed over 2 years. Examination included a semistructured mental status examination, the Social Functioning Examination (SFE) and diagnoses based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) symptom criteria for major and minor depressive disorders. At short-term follow-up (3 to 6 months), both impairment in social functioning and depression were related to impaired recovery in activities of daily living and cognitive functioning. On the other hand, at long-term follow-up (1 to 2 years), only depression influenced recovery from physical impairment. In addition, we found no significant interaction between depression and social impairment on activities of daily living or social functioning. These data suggest that both depression and impaired social function have independent negative effects on physical recovery from stroke. These data also suggest that treatment of depression as well as early psychosocial intervention may play an important role in the quality of life after acute stroke.