Carer strain in post-stroke emotionalism: an initial evaluation

Background and PurposePost-stroke emotionalism is a common, under-researched neurologic symptom of stroke, characterised by frequent crying episodes not under usual social control. Currently there are no data on carer strain in the context of emotionalism after stroke. AimsTo explore the degree of carer strain in carers of individuals with diagnosed PSE compared to carers of individuals with stroke but no PSE. To examine whether carer strain varies with particular characteristics of the cared for individual: patient age, sex, social deprivation, stroke type, functional status, mood status. Methods102 informants of people with stroke completed the Modified Carer Strain Index at 6-months as part of the TEARS longitudinal cohort study between October 1st 2015 and September 30th 2018. Stroke survivor diagnostic status was determined using Testing Emotionalism After Recent Stroke-Diagnostic Interview based on published, widely accepted diagnostic criteria of emotionalism. ResultsThere was little evidence of association between carer strain and sex, age, deprivation level or stroke type of the cared for individual. There was strong evidence that carer strain associated with both increased functional dependence post-stroke, and presence of post-stroke emotionalism. ConclusionsEven after accounting for increased functional dependence, our study data indicates that caring in a PSE context may significantly increase carer strain, comparable to a six-point reduction on Barthel Index.