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. 2017 Sep-Oct;11(4):53-58.

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

Yihong Fang  1   2 , Elias Mpofu  1   3 , James Athanasou  1
Affiliations

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

Yihong Fang et al. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2017 Sep-Oct.

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; post-stroke depression.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study design - process and protocol for data collection
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a and b) Normal levels of depression and anxiety under standard care and constructive integrative psychosocial intervention at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 6th months
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a and b) Mean of activities of daily living functioning in standard care and constructive integrative psychosocial intervention over 6 months (raw data; 1 - dependent; 2 - maximum assistance; 3 - moderate assistance; 4 - minimal assistance; 5 - supervision; 6 - independence)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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