Age differences in functioning and contextual factors in community-dwelling stroke survivors: A national cross-sectional survey

Steinunn A. Olafsdottir*, Ingibjörg Hjaltadottir, Rose Galvin, Thora B. Hafsteinsdottir, Helga Jonsdottir, Solveig A. Arnadottir

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background Our study aimed to map functioning and contextual factors among community-dwelling stroke survivors after first stroke, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and to explore if these factors differ among older-old (75 years and older), younger-old (65–74 years), and young (18–65 years) stroke survivors. Methods A cross-sectional population-based national survey among community-dwelling stroke survivors, 1–2 years after their first stroke. Potential participants were approached through hospital registries. The survey had 56.2% response rate. Participants (N = 114, 50% men), 27 to 94 years old (71.6±12.9 years), were categorized as: older-old (n = 51), younger-old (n = 34) and young (n = 29). They answered questions on health, functioning and contextual factors, the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and the Behavioural Regulation Exercise Questionnaire-2. Descriptive analysis was used, along with analysis of variance for continuous data and Fisher´s exact tests for categorical variables. TukeyHSD, was used for comparing possible age-group pairings. Results The responses reflected ICF´s personal and environmental factors as well as body function, activities, and participation. Comparisons between age-groups revealed that the oldest participants reported more anxiety and depression and used more walking devices and fewer smart devices than individuals in both the younger-old and young groups. In the SIS, the oldest participants had lower scores than both younger groups in the domains of activities of daily living and mobility. Conclusion These findings provide important information on needs and opportunities in community-based rehabilitation for first-time stroke survivors and reveal that this population has good access to smart devices which can be used in community integration. Moreover, our results support the need for analysis in subgroups of age among the heterogenous group of older individuals in this population.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0273644
Pages (from-to)e0273644
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume17
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
SAO - IRF 196034 - the Icelandic Centre for Research - https://en.rannis.is/ SAO - no grant number - The Icelandic Physiotherapy Association - https://www.physio.is/en/ SAO - no grant number - The Icelandic Federation of Aging - https://www. oldrun.is/ The funders had no role in study design,data collection and analysis, decision to publish, orpreparation of the manuscript. We gratefully thank Landspitali–The National University Hospital of Iceland, Akureyri Hospital, Directorate of Health and RHA–University Akureyri Research Centre for their collaboration, and The Statistical Consulting Center at the School of Health Sciences at the University of Iceland. We also acknowledge the contribution of all the participants and Heilaheill, the Icelandic Stroke Survivors´ Association.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Olafsdottir et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Other keywords

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stroke
  • Stroke Rehabilitation/methods
  • Survivors

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