Reducing depressive or anxiety symptoms in post-stroke patients: Pilot trial of a constructive integrative psychosocial intervention

Abstract

Background: About 30% of stroke survivors clinically have depressive symptoms at some point following stroke and anxiety prevalence is around 20-25%.

Objective: The purpose of this brief report is to evaluate a pilot trial of a constructive integrative psychosocial intervention (CIPI) over standard care in post-stroke depression or anxiety.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either CIPI (n = 23) or standard care (n = 19). Patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months to monitor changes of mood.

Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that compared to admission baseline, patients with the intervention had significantly normal post-stroke depression symptom levels at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months (P < 0.005).

Conclusion: CIPI appears to be of incremental value in treating depression as well as anxiety in subacute care.

Keywords:

Anxiety symptoms depressive symptoms post-stroke anxiety poststroke depression
Fang, Y., Mpofu, E., & Athanasou, J. (2017). Reducing depressive or anxiety symptoms in post-stroke patients: Pilot trial of a constructive integrative psychosocial intervention. International Journal of Health Sciences, 11(4). Retrieved from https://ijhs.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/1917
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Author Biographies

Yihong Fang, Rehabilitation Service Department, Changi General Hospital
Occuaptional Therapist
Elias Mpofu, University of Sydney
Professor, Rehabilitation Counselling
James Athanasou, University of Sydney
Associate Professor