POST STROKE DEPRESSION

Post Stroke Depression



Contents

Intoduction3

Discussion6

Conclusion17

References and Recommendations19

Post Stroke Depression

Intoduction

Research investigating the effects of stroke has been focused mostly on the physical effects. There has been less research investigating the effect of depression on recovery from stroke and the effects on rehabilitative efforts. Few studies describe how the severity of depression impacts the patient's ability to achieve rehabilitation goals. This review of literature examines prior studies implemented by researchers pertaining to benefits and barriers to rehabilitation, methods of measuring recovery, and effectiveness of rehabilitative efforts (Reynolds, 2004, 601).

Many individuals experience adverse physiological and psychological impairments following a stroke. In general, research shows most stroke survivors benefit from some type of inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as the stroke is diagnosed and the patient is free from impending physiological danger. The goal of rehabilitation focuses on the recovery of physical and cognitive deficits, while helping patients compensate for residual impairment in function. Researchers found rehabilitative efforts, in the early stages of stroke, improve survival and functional capacity in patients. They also found early physical therapy, after a stroke, improve recovery of activities of daily living and lead to decreased time spent in rehabilitation settings. Furthermore, they determined the most important priority for most stroke patients is to regain the ability to move or ambulate. Researchers examined the effects of stroke on performance of activities of daily living (ADL) and concluded patients place a high value on returning home and to community activities. Patients placed a higher degree of importance on regaining ability to ambulate versus regaining the ability to perform other ADL's such as eating, bathing, dressing, and cooking (Thompson, 2009, 247).

Critical Incident Analysis

Beneficial results from rehabilitation are obtained when patients have a voice in determining what is important to them regarding recovery. This study concluded stroke patients may possibly benefit from educational programs to help them understand the recovery process including physical, social and psychological aspects of recovery. Patients should take an active part in rehabilitation and decide on an individual basis what the goals and benefits are to be from his or her recovery process. Delayed rehabilitative interventions lead to poorer outcomes in regaining pre stroke levels of functioning. Researchers showed patients who received rehabilitation within the first month of a stroke were more likely to experience greater functional gains including higher self esteem, lower levels of depression and decreased length of stay than those patients who received rehabilitation beyond the 30 day period after a stroke. Greater functional deficits occurred with longer periods of time passed from diagnosis of stroke to starting rehabilitation (Palmer, 2002, 89).

Researchers showed patients who were more satisfied with their treatment during rehabilitation were less likely to experience depression following a stroke. This study also showed being discharged to favourable surroundings following a stroke allowed patients to achieve decreased levels of depression and increased overall satisfaction with life. During physical and occupational therapy, patients who are depressed are more likely not to want to participate in rehabilitation ...