Functional Independence, Quality of Life and Participation of Stroke Survivors in the Rural Community- A Cross-Sectional Survey
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Functional independence, participation, quality of life, rehabilitation, stroke
Abstract
Background: In Low and Middle Income countries (LMICs) like India, the majority of stroke survivors are residing in rural community deprived of comprehensive rehabilitation resulting in long-term disabilities. The objective of our study was to identify the level of functional independence, quality of life and Community Integration of stroke survivors and to find the burden and quality of life of their primary caregivers.
Study design: A cross-sectional survey.
Study setting: A rural community setting served by a tertiary care hospital in South India.
Method: We included 30 stroke survivors and their primary caregivers. Demographic characteristics and stroke related information were gathered from our database and clinical characteristics were obtained using self-designed data form. Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) were used as outcome measures.
Results: Participants showed moderate level of impairment (mean ± SD 34±24);and independence(mean ± SD 67±28); with low level of community reintegration (mean ± SD 4±6) and quality of life. The caregivers of stroke survivors showed moderate to severe burden (41±19). The quality of life of stroke survivors correlates well with quality of life of caregivers in all the quality of life domains(p-<0.01). The caregiver burden moderately correlates with all their quality of life domains except for physical health (psychological domain (r = -0. 507; p=0.004), social relationship domain (r = -0. 506; p=0.004), environment domain (r = -0. 663; p=0.000) physical health domain(r = -0. 218; p=0.247).
Conclusion: Stroke survivors residing in rural South Indian community have shown moderate level of independence in their functional status despite majority of them have experienced moderate level stroke. However, the caregivers of stroke survivors showed moderate to severe burden.
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