Are the Psychosocial and Physical Disabilities of Stroke Survivors Ageing Related

Most stroke survivors, advanced in age are encumbered by physical and psychosocial disabilities such as motor impairments, balance dysfunctions, depression, activity limitation, participation restriction etc. These disabilities also characterize ageing as seen among older adults. It is therefore not know if the post-stroke disabilities are due to ageing or intrinsic neurological deficits. This study sought to know if the physical and psychosocial disabilities of stroke survivors are due to ageing or stroke specific impairments. This cross-sectional study with a matched design compared selected physical and psychosocial attributed between stroke survivors (SS) and their age- and sex-matched apparently healthy older adults (ASMAHOA). Physical attributes such as functional ability (FA), participation, balance and motor function (MF) and psychosocial variables such as depression, self-esteem, and self-efficacy were assessed using validated instruments. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statics and paired t-test. Level of significant was set at α = 0.05. A total of 34 SS and 34 ASAMAHOA participated in this study, 19 (55.9%) males and 15 (44.1%) females in each group with a mean age of 69.02 ± 5.55 years and 68.89 ± 5.40 years respectfully. Stroke survivors had significantly (p < 0.05) lower scores compared to ASAMAHOA (SS vs ASAMAHOAl) on FA (24.65 ± 8.57 vs 44.56 ± 8.36), MF [upper-limb (68.62 ± 28.24 vs 97.09 ± 15.03), lower-limb (50.71 ± 25.14 vs 72.74 ± 8.40)], self-esteem (63.18 ± 15.42 vs 77.94 ± 7.20) and self-efficacy (47.82 ± 25.48 vs 88.65 ± 17.94), but a significantly higher depressive symptoms (13.53 ± 8.23 vs 10.32 ± 4.30). Stroke survivors experience significantly greater disabilities than their age- and sex-matched apparently healthy older adults. Therefore, post-stroke disabilities are not primarily due to ageing.