Moderated Poster Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2025

Exploring unmet needs and predictors of quality of life and return to work in young stroke survivors (123179)

Michaela Grech 1 , Toni Withiel 2 , Leonie Simpson 2 , Caroline Fisher 2 , Dana Wong 1
  1. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. Allied Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Background/aims:

Many young adult stroke survivors (YSS) experience ‘invisible’ difficulties, including depression, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties, impacting quality of life (QoL). However, support needs remain largely unmet. We aimed to characterise psychosocial consequences and unmet needs among YSS, and explore variables associated with QoL and work participation.

Methods:

Participants were aged 18-45, diagnosed with stroke between 2018-2022. Demographic and stroke details were collected from medical records. Participants completed questionnaires assessing mood, subjective cognitive difficulties, fatigue, independence, return to work, QoL and unmet needs. Hierarchical regression explored variables associated with QoL, with demographic and stroke variables entered in model 1, and psychosocial variables in model 2. Logistic regression identified factors associated with work participation. 

Results:

Eighty-seven YSS participated (meanage 36 years, 56% male, meantime-since-stroke 33 months). Approximately 81% reported at least one unmet need; the most common was stroke information (55%), then cognitive needs (36%). Hierarchical regression exploring QoL was significant after entry of psychosocial variables (R2 = .67, p <.001). Higher depression (b = -0.98), fatigue (b = -0.45) and lower work participation (b = 7.75) were independently associated with lower QoL. Logistic regression exploring work participation was significant (X2 (16) = 80.12, p = .02); higher stroke severity (OR = 1.14-1.20) and subjective executive dysfunction (OR = 1.14) were independently associated with lower work participation.   

Conclusion:

Psychosocial difficulties are common in YSS, and stroke-related information needs are often unmet. Mood, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties should be addressed in stroke rehabilitation to improve work participation and QoL.