REHABILITATION
CERTAIN TRAITS MAY BE RISK FACTORS FOR POOR STROKE RECOVERY
What does it take to recover from the debilitating effects of a
stroke? Lots of medical help--and, possibly, the right personality
traits.
A team of researchers at the University of Maryland's School of
Medicine, led by Lynn M. Grattan, Ph.D., studied the personalities of 35
stroke patients by surveying close relatives a few days after the stroke
occurred and again a year later.
Patients described by their families as self-conscious and
introspective were most likely to suffer from post-stroke depression that
interfered with rehabilitation regimens. Deep-thinkers did not recover as
well as more energetic and outgoing patients with identical
stroke-related debilities.
"Certain personality features just allow some people to be more
adaptive in recovery, and others to be less adaptive," says Grattan. "The
better problem-solvers, people who directly confront problems, have
better recoveries."
The findings, presented at a meeting of the American Stroke
Association, could have important implications for caregivers, who may be
able to better tailor rehabilitation plans to an individual's needs.
According to the association's data, about three-quarters of the 600,000
Americans who will suffer a stroke this year will survive.
Grattan says a brief psychological examination in the first few
days after a stroke could lead to better recovery for more patients.
"That's not happening now in most hospitals" she says.
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