Perceived stress and depression in left and right hemisphere post-stroke patients

Abstract

Although it is well accepted that depression and stress are closely related in the general adult population, this link is less understood in post-stroke patients. Due to the high occurrence of depression in post-stroke patients it is important to look closely at this possible association. The current study explores perceived stress and depression in post-stroke patients. Nineteen left hemisphere (LH) stroke patients and 12 right hemisphere (RH) post-stroke patients were assessed for depression, perceived stress, and neurological functioning with the Stroke Aphasia Depression Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Scandinavian Stroke Scale once per month for three months. Perceived stress and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated for both stroke groups. Neurological functioning was not correlated with either depressive symptoms or perceived stress in either stroke group. The perception of stress may be a more critical variable in developing post-stroke depression than neurological functioning is in stroke patients. Routine screening of perception of stress may need to occur in post-stroke patients to avoid development of depression.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• Perceived stress
• Depression
• Neurological functioning
• Aphasia

This study was supported by NIH R03 DC006177 awarded to the first author.