Perceptions of function and recovery among persons with stroke and care partners.
Madison Niermeyer, Jackie Einerson, Alexandra L Terrill
PMID 35377699WHAT IT FOUND
Most stroke survivors rated their recovery higher than their partners did, and partners often viewed daily tasks as harder for them.
These gaps were linked to higher caregiver strain and depression. Screening both partners' perceptions helps identify couples at risk.
Key findings
01In 62% of couples, the person with stroke and their care partner differed by more than 10% in their perception of overall recovery, with the person with stroke typically rating themselves as more recovered.
02Care partners who perceived their spouse as having worse function in daily activities or cognition reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and caregiver strain.
03The link between caregiver strain and the disagreement about daily function was explained by the care partner's own view of how impaired the person with stroke was, rather than the disagreement itself.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample size was small (29 couples), which limits the statistical power and generalizability of the findings. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot determine if depression causes negative perceptions or if negative perceptions cause depression. Participants were required to have mild or no cognitive impairment and no severe aphasia, so results may not apply to couples facing more severe communication or cognitive barriers. The sample was predominantly White and well-educated, which may not reflect the experiences of more diverse populations.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a large difference in perception means the patient is unaware of their deficits. The study found that care partners often perceived worse function than the patients did, and this perception was linked to the partner's own depression and strain. The 'discrepancy' may reflect the partner's distress as much as the patient's self-assessment.