Clinical and Psychosocial Predictors of Community Reintegration of Stroke Survivors Three Months Post In-Hospital Discharge

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There appears to be a dearth of publishedliterature on the biopsychosocial predictors of communityreintegration (CR) among stroke survivors. This study aims toinvestigate the clinical and psychosocial predictors of CR amongstroke survivors three months post in-hospital discharge.METHODS: Fifty-two stroke survivors took part in this prospectiveexploratory study. The participants’ clinical attributes of motorfunction (MF), balance (Bal) and psychosocial characteristics ofFall Self- Efficacy (FSE), Balance Self-Efficacy (BSE), Self-Esteem (SEst) and Social Support (SS) were assessed pre-dischargeand at three months post-discharge. CR was also assessed at threemonths post-discharge. Data were analyzed using paired t-test,Pearson’s Moment correlation and multiple regressions. Level ofsignificance was set at p = 0.05RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 61.21±11.25years with mean hospital length of stay of 5.31±3.71weeks. Therewere significant differences in the mean MF, Bal, FSE, BSE, SEstand SS scores of the participants pre- and post-discharge (p <0.05). Also, there was a significant correlation between CR andeach of MF, Bal, FSE, BSE, SEst and SS. Pre-discharge Age (β = -0.226, p = 0.001) and FSE (β = 1.387, p = 0.040) significantlypredicted CR. Post-discharge age (β = -0.164, p = 0.005) and Bal (β= 0.142, p = 0.048). FSE (β = 1.243, p = 0.034) also significantlypredicted CR.CONCLUSION: Age, Bal and FSE are important predictors of CRamong stroke survivors. Therefore, rehabilitation programmesshould focus on improving Bal and FSE in order to enhancecommunity reintegration among stroke survivors.