Study on challenges of stroke

Recovering stroke patients face a continuous daily struggle to achieve some sense of normality and that requires huge amounts of physical and mental effort, according to a new study.

The study highlighted the issue of the effects of stroke on relationships.

Researchers from Northern Ireland found that suffering a stroke can have a profound effect on relationships and lead to significant changes in how couples relate to each other on a physical, psychological, social and emotional level.

They also found that people who had had a stoke felt safe and comfortable at home, but were reluctant to resume social activities with their spouse because of swallowing problems, anxiety and fatigue.

Sexual relationships were also significantly affected after a stroke, gender roles became blurred and feelings like anger and frustration were confounded by a lack of independence and ongoing fatigue.

The study also found that most of the women lost interest in their appearance, regardless of their age.

Furthermore, all the respondents said they had changed since their stroke and irritability, anger, agitation and intolerance were frequently mentioned.

“I’m normally easy going, but now the slightest little thing sets off the temper,” said one 53-year-old man, who added that his wife would “probably say I’ve turned into a miserable pig.”

A number of the participants said they felt unable to prevent outbursts and this compounded their feelings of guilt, low self-esteem and despair.

And over-protective spouses appeared to increase anger and feelings of frustration.

“There is no doubt that strokes have a profound effect on relationships and our research showed many of the physical, psychological, social and emotional issues a stroke can raise,” the researchers said.

“It is important to point out that stroke can happen at any age and many of the survivors who took part in our study were relatively young.”

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

For more information on strokes go to www.heart.ie

[Posted: Fri 19/06/2009]