Voicing the perspectives of stroke survivors with aphasia

A rapid evidence review of post‐stroke mental health, screening practices and lived experiences

Bibliographic Data

ID14948237
AuthorsIsabella Kristo (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia, corresponding author), Jane Mowll (0000-0002-7625-060X, School of Social Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia)
Year2022
Volume30
Issue4
Pagese898-e908
Publication date2022-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherHindawi Limited (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/hsc.13694
PMID34951068
OpenAlexW4200413863
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited40

A rapid evidence review (RER) of empirical literature was conducted to explore aphasic stroke survivors' mental health outcomes and lived experiences, as well as the screening instruments for this cohort. The RER was informed by a critical disability theory approach and synthesised qualitative and quantitative evidence within and across 29 studies, published between 2000 and 2021, from a systematic search of three databases. Understanding the relationship between post-stroke aphasia and mental health outcomes is essential for developing comprehensive treatment strategies and designing appropriate long-term care. Available screening instruments currently only detect depression and anxiety, which are then used to detect further mental health issues. The RER revealed that the current screening instruments demonstrate reliability; however, research remains limited regarding their validity. Furthermore, limited studies include aphasic patients as participants and decision-makers in stroke research. Methodological limitations across studies include comparators and small sample sizes. Importantly, across the studies, there is a lack of representation of culturally diverse and minority participants. Overall, the RER results found a high prevalence of aphasic stroke survivors experiencing depression and other mental health outcomes, indicating that implementing mood screening in a timely manner is essential. In addition, the results support that psychological care pathways must be developed and evaluated in consultation with aphasic patients' and carers' lived experiences to identify stepped levels of care and establish appropriate screening instruments. Furthermore, the health system requires consistency, which would ideally be achieved by establishing staff roles and responsibilities regarding mood screening and supportive care in these psychological care pathways. Including mental health specialists such as social workers and establishing specialist training in the multidisciplinary team would support this endeavour. There is a need for further research regarding mood screening instruments, a diversity of aphasic stroke survivors' lived experiences and the clinical expertise of those providing psychological support

Anxiety · Aphasia · Health care · Mental health · Mood · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Clinical Psychology · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Medicine · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Psychology · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

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