Post-polio syndrome: impact of hope on quality of life

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of future-oriented coping strategies on the quality of life (QOL) of individuals with post-polio syndrome (PPS). Methods: A correlative study, in which a cohort of 61 patients was surveyed and a group of 40 healthy, age-matched individuals served as controls. Patients were surveyed as to their QOL, levels of hope and utilization of proactive coping, employment status and degree of functionality. Results: PPS patients had lower total, physical and mental QOL indices compared to controls. Future-oriented coping strategies associated with hope were positively associated with physical and mental QOL in the PPS group, but not in the controls. In a multivariate analysis, hope and employment status predicted higher QOL among those with PPS. Conclusions: Future-oriented coping strategies, particularly hope are distinctively associated with improved QOL benefits in PPS patients. Fostering future-oriented coping related to hope may improve the self-perceived mental and physical status of patients with PPS.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Coping styles of individuals with post-polio can be conceptualized in terms of positive-optimistic psychological constructs rather than the traditional negative frame of reference.

• Hope is distinctively associated with improved quality of life among post-polio patients.

• Enhancing hope through psychotherapy may improve mental and physical health of individuals with postpolio.

Keywords::

• Coping
• hope
• polio
• quality of life
• type A personality

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. There were no external funding sources for the study.