Predictors of psychological distress and sleep deprivation in caregivers of stroke survivors

Sleep dysfunction in stroke survivors impacts caregiver burden and functional recovery-an observational study

PURPOSE

Sleep dysfunction is often reported post-stroke, but its impact on short-term outcomes and caregiver burden remains less studied. Here, we studied the prevalence of sleep dysfunction and its relationship with self-reported depression, caregiver burden, and functional outcome after stroke.

METHODS

Prospective observational study where consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited at 3 months follow-up visit from stroke outpatient clinic from January 2022-March 2023. After informed consent, all the recruited patients were administered 5 questionnaires[Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep, Patient Health Quality 9 for depression, and Zarit's Caregiver Burden Scale]. 20% of patients underwent overnight ambulatory level 3 polysomnography. Clinical and sleep characteristics were correlated with functional outcome and caregiver burden scores at 3 and 6 months follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 100 patients, with a mean age of 62.2 ± 11.2 years, 67% had moderate to severe strokes at admission with mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] 8.3 ± 6.24.63% reporting one or more sleep disturbances post-stroke. 20% had hypersomnolence,35% had insomnia and 40% had poor sleep quality at 3 months after stroke.45% reported depression and 22% caregivers reported significant burden. Caregiver burden had a strong correlation with patient-reported hypersomnolence and poor sleep quality. Sleep dysfunction showed a significant association with poor functional outcomes at 6 months after stroke.

CONCLUSION

Sleep dysfunction is present in a significant number of ischemic stroke survivors 3 months after stroke and can contribute to poor functional outcomes and caregiver stress. The impact of early recognition and timely treatment of sleep dysfunction post-stroke needs to be studied in larger populations.

Trajectory and predictors of family function in caregivers of stroke survivors: A longitudinal study of the first 6 months after stroke

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the trajectory and predictors of family function in caregivers of stroke survivors during the first 6 months after the first episode of stroke.

DESIGN

Longitudinal study.

METHODS

A total of 288 primary caregivers of patients with first-time stroke were recruited from seven tertiary hospitals in China between July 2020 and March 2021. The following characteristics were assessed by caregivers at hospitalization (T0) and at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3) after the stroke: family function, general self-efficacy, social support, coping style, caregiver burden, and sociodemographic and clinical data.

RESULTS

Family function scores among caregivers of stroke survivors were highest in the resolve dimension and lowest in the growth and adaptation dimensions within the first 6 months. The percentages of families with low functioning were 34.7%, 33.3%, 24.8% and 17.7% at T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The generalized estimating equation model revealed that family function in caregivers increased over the first 6 months (Exp(B) = 1.415-2.689, p < .05). The following factors were identified as predictors of family functioning: caregiver's age, education, residential district, self-efficacy, social support utilization and caregiver burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Family function of caregivers of stroke survivors gradually increased during the first 6 months after stroke. However, some families demonstrated poor functioning. Caregivers' age, education, caregiver burden, self-efficacy and social support utilization could predict family function over time.

IMPACT

Empirical data on family function in families of stroke survivors are important for developing psychosocial interventions that can help families adapt to stroke. This study found that families of stroke survivors were likely to be dysfunctional in the first 6 months after stroke, particularly in family growth and adaptation. Therefore, reducing caregiver burden and promoting self-efficacy and social support utilization can help restore family functioning early after stroke.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Stroke caregivers from seven hospitals in China were involved in this study and had the right to be informed of the main findings. A few patients were informed of the research results, who contributed to the dissemination.