Joanie Rozon, Annie Rochette
School of Rehabilitation AND. Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR) , University of Montreal, , Canada
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1959

Objectives: To examine changes in sleep, driving, employment, relationships and leisure in the first year after a mild stroke and explore the association between the presence of depressive symptoms and improvement in participation 6 months later.
Methods: Social participation (LIFE-H 3. 1) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II) were measured in the first month (T0), 6 months and 1 year after mild stroke. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used.
Results: There were 186 participants at T0, 149 at 6 months and 138 at 1 year. Mean age at T0 was 63. 3 ± 12. 5 years and 81/186 (43. 6%) were female. All the life habits examined showed an improvement at 6 months and 1 year, except for having a sexual relationship (p = 0. 12) at 6 months, and sleep at 6 months (p = 0. 15) and 1 year (p = 0. 07). A significant association between the presence of depressive symptoms at T0 and reduced participation at 6 months was obtained for driving a vehicle (p = 0. 02), participating in sports or recreational activities (p = 0. 01) and interpersonal relationships (p = 0. 003), but not for holding a paid job (p = 0. 06).
Conclusion: Systematic screening for depression should be carried out upon discharge from hospital in order to better target individuals who have had a mild stroke and are in further need of rehabilitation.