Predictors of Life Satisfaction Among Stroke Survivors and Spousal Caregivers: A Narrative Review

• Grant JS , GlandonGL, ElliottTR, Giger JN, Weaver M: Caregiving problems and feelings experienced by family caregivers of stroke survivors the first month after discharge. Int. J. Rehabil. Res.27(2), 105–111(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Denman A : Determining the needs of spouses caring for aphasic partners.Disabil. Rehabil.20, 411–423(1998).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bakas T , AustinJK, JessupSL, WilliamsLS, OberstMT: Time and difficulty of tasks provided by family caregivers of stroke survivors.J. Neurosci. Nurs.36, 95–106(2004).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Coombs UE : Spousal caregiving for stroke survivors.J. Neurosci. Nurs.39(2), 112–119(2007).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Musschenga AW : The relation between concepts of quality-of-life, health and happiness.J. Med. Philos.22(1), 11–28(1997).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Veenhoven R : The four qualities of life.J. Happiness Stud.1(1), 1–39(2000).
   Google Scholar
• Diener E : Subjective well-being.Psychol. Bull.95(3), 542–575(1984).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Diener E , EmmonsRA: The independence of positive and negative affect.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.47(5), 1105–1117(1984).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Post MW , de Witte LP, Schrijvers AJ: Quality of life and the ICIDH: towards an integrated conceptual model for rehabilitation outcomes research. Clin. Rehabil.13, 5–15(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lau A , McKennaK: Conceptualizing quality of life for elderly people with a stroke.Disabil. Rehabil.23(6), 227–238(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elavsky S , McAuleyE, MotlRWet al.: Physical activity enhances long-term quality of life in older adults: efficacy, esteem, and affective influences. Ann. Behav. Med.30(2), 138–145(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Low JTS , PayneS, RoderickP: The impact of stroke on informal carers: a literature review.Soc. Sci. Med.49, 711–725(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Campbell A : The Sense of Well-Being in America. McGraw Hill, New York, NY, USA (1981).
   Google Scholar
• Diener E , EmmonsR, LarsenR, GriffinS: The satisfaction with life scale.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.49(1), 71–75(1985).
   Google Scholar
• Ferrans CE , PowersM: Quality of life index: development and psychometric properties.Adv. Nurs. Sci.8(1), 15–24(1985).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ryff C : Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.57, 1069–1081(1989).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Anderson C , LaubscherS, BurnsR: Validation of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire among stroke patients.Stroke27, 1812–1816(1996).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van Straten A , de Haan RJ, Limburg M, Schuling J, Bossuyt PM, vanden Bos GAM: A stroke-adapted 30-item version of the Sickness Impact Profile to assess quality of life (SA-SIP30). Stroke28, 2155–2161(1997).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Duncan PW , WallaceD, LaiSM, Johnson D, Embretson S, Laster LJ: The stroke impact scale version 2.0. Evaluation of reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. Stroke30, 2131–2140(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hawthorne G , RichardsonJ, DayNA: A comparison of the assessment of quality of life (AQOL) with four other generic utility instruments.Ann. Med.33(5), 358–370(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hilari K , ByngS, LampingDL, SmithSC: Stroke and aphasia quality of life scale-39 (SAQOL-39). Evaluation of acceptability, reliability, and validity.Stroke34, 1944–1950(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buck D , JacobyA, MasseyA, SteenN, SharmaA, FordGA: Development and validation of NEWSQOL, the Newcastle stroke-specific quality of life measure.Cerebrovasc. Dis.17, 143–152(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gill TM , FeinsteinA: A critical appraisal of the quality-life measurements.JAMA272, 619–626(1994).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Doyle PJ , McNeilMR, MikolicJMet al.: The Burden of Stroke Scale (BOSS) provides valid and reliable score estimates of functioning and well-being in stroke survivors with and without communication disorders. J. Clin. Epidemiol.57, 997–1007(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Buck D , JacobyA, MasseyA, FordG: Evaluation of measures used to assess quality of life after stroke.Stroke31(8), 2004–2010(2000).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carod-Artal FJ : Specific scales for rating quality of life after stroke (Escalas específicas para la evaluación de la calidad de vida en el ictus).Rev. Neurol.3, 1052–1062(2004). (Summary in English and article in Spanish).
   Google Scholar
• Von Steinbuechel N , RichterS, Morawetz C, Riemsma R: Assessment of subjective health and health-related quality of life in persons with acquired or degenerative brain injury. Curr. Opin. Neurol.18(6), 681–691(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lucas RE , DienerE, SuhE: Discriminant validity of well-being measures.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.71(3), 616–628(1996).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cohen EH : A facet theory approach to examining overall and life facet satisfaction relationships.Soc. Indic. Res.51(2), 223–237(2000).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Diener E , OishiS, LucasRE: Personality, culture, and subjective well-being: emotional and cognitive evaluations of life.Annu. Rev. Psychol.54, 403–425(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pavot W , DienerE, ColvinCR, SandvikE: Further validation of the satisfaction with life scale: evidence for the cross-method convergence of well-being measures.J. Pers. Assess.57(1), 149–161(1991).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schimmack U , DienerE, OishiS: Life-satisfaction is a momentary judgment and a stable personality characteristic: the use of chronically accessible and stable sources.J. Pers.70(3), 345–384(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lucas RE , ClarkAE, GeorgellisY, DienerE: Reexamining adaptation and the set point model of happiness: reactions to changes in marital status.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.84(3), 527–539(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hallan S , AsbergA, IndredavikB, Wideroe TE: Quality of life after cerebrovascular stroke: a systematic study of patients’ preferences for different functional outcomes. J. Intern. Med.246(3), 309–316(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lindmark B , HamrinE: A five-year follow-up of stroke survivors: motor function and activities of daily living.Clin. Rehabil.9(1), 1–9(1995).
   Google Scholar
• Clarke P , MarshallV, BlackSE, Colantonio A: Well-being after stroke in Canadian seniors: findings from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Stroke33, 1016–1021(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Diener E , DienerM: Cross-cultural correlates of life satisfaction and self-esteem.J. Pers. Soc. Psychol.68(4), 653–663(1995).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Robinson-Smith G , JohnstonMV, AllenJ: Self-care self-efficacy, quality of life, and depression after stroke.Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil.81(4), 460–464(2000).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• De Haan RJ , LimburgM, Van der Meulen JHP, Jacobs HM, Aaronson NK: Quality of life after stroke: impact of stroke type and lesion location. Stroke26, 402–408(1995).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Moon YS , KimSJ, KimHC, WonMH, KimDH: Correlates of quality of life after stroke.J. Neurol. Sci.224, 37–41(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Viitanen M , Fugl-MeyerKS, BernspangB, Fugl-MeyerAR: Life satisfaction in long-term survivors after stroke.Scand. J. Rehabil. Med.20(1), 17–24(1988).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Bays CL : Quality of life of stroke survivors: a research synthesis.J. Neurosc. Nurs.33(6), 310–316(2001).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Saeki S , ChisakaH, HachisukaK: Life satisfaction and functional disabilities in long-term survivors after first stroke.J. Occup. Environ. Health27, 171–177(2005).
   Google Scholar
• Hartman-Maeir A , SorokerN, RingH, AvniN, KatzN: Activities, participation and satisfaction one-year post stroke.Disabil. Rehabil.29(7), 559–566(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Edwards DF , HahnM, BaumC, Dromerick AW: The impact of mild stroke on meaningful activity and life satisfaction. J. Stroke Cerebrovasc. Dis.15(4), 151–157(2006).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Saotome I : Life satisfaction and help needs in post-stroke patients.Jpn. Geriatrics Society36(3), 199–205(1999).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Johansson U , BernspangB: Life satisfaction related to work re-entry after brain injury: a longitudinal study.Brain Inj.17(11), 991–1002(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vestling M , TufvessonB, IwarssonS: Indicators for return to work after stroke and the importance of work for subjective well-being and life satisfaction.J. Rehabil. Med.35(3), 127–131(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vestling M , RamelE, IwarssonS: Quality of life after stroke: well-being, life satisfaction, and subjective aspects of work.Scand. J. Occup. Ther.12(2), 89–95(2005).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Teasell RW , McRaeMP, FinestoneHM: Social issues in the rehabilitation of younger stroke patients.Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil.81(2), 205–209(2000).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hinckley JJ : Vocational and social outcomes of adults with chronic aphasia.J. Commun. Disord.35(6), 543–560(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Treger I , ShamesJ, GiaquintoS, RingH: Return to work in stroke patients.Disabil. Rehabil.29(17), 1397–1403(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Segal ME , SchallRR: Life satisfaction and caregiving stress for individuals with stroke and their primary caregivers.Rehabil. Psychol.41(4), 303–320(1996).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kauhanen ML , KorpelainenJT, HiltunenP, NieminenP, SotaniemiKA, MyllylaVV: Domains and determinants of quality of life after stroke caused by brain infarction.Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil.18(12), 1541–1546(2000).
   Google Scholar
• Suenkeler IH , NowakM, MisselwitzBet al.: Timecourse of health-related quality of life as determined 3, 6 and 12 months after stroke: relationship to neurological deficit, disability and depression. J. Neurol.249(9), 1160–1167(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hopman WM , VernerJ: Quality of life during and after inpatient stroke rehabilitation.Stroke34(3), 801–805(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jonsson AC , LindgrenI, HallstromB, NorrvingB, LindgrenA: Determinants of quality of life in stroke survivors and their informal caregivers.Stroke36, 803–808(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Clarke PJ , LawrenceJM, BlackSE: Changes in quality of life over the first year after stroke: findings from the Sunnybrook Stroke Study.J. Stroke Cerebrovasc. Dis.9, 121–127(2000).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Darlington ASE , DippelDWJ, Ribbers GM, Van Bale R, Passchier J, Busschbach JJV: Coping strategies as determinants of quality of life in stroke patients: a longitudinal study. Cerebrovasc. Dis.23(5–6), 402–407(2007).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Giaquinto S , SpiridigliozziC, CaraccioloB: Can faith protect from emotional distress after stroke?Stroke38, 993–997(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gargano JW , ReevesMJ: Sex differences in stroke recovery and stroke-specific quality of life: Results from a statewide stroke registry.Stroke38, 2541–2548(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Teasdale TW , EngbergAW: Psychological consequences of stroke: a long-term population-base follow-up.Brain Inj.19(12), 1049–1058(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carlsson GE , Forsberg-WarlebyG, Moller A, Blomstrand C: Comparison of life satisfaction within couples one year after a partner‘s stroke. J. Rehabil. Med.39(3), 219–224(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Forsberg-Warleby G , MollerA, Blomstrand C: Spouses of first-ever stroke patients: psychological well-being in the first phase after stroke. Stroke32, 1646–1651(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Visser-Meily A , PostM, SchepersV, Lindeman E: Spouses’ quality of life 1 year after stroke: prediction at the start of clinical rehabilitation. Cerebrovasc. Dis.20(6), 443–448(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Neiboer AP , SchulzR, MatthewsKA, Scheier MF, Obmel J, Lindenberg SM: Spousal caregivers’ activity restrictions and depression: a model for changes over time. Soc. Sci. Med.47, 1361–1371(1998).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Forsberg-Warleby G , MollerA, Blomstrand C: Spouses of first-ever stroke victims: sense of coherence in the first phase after stroke. J. Rehabil. Med.34(3), 128–133(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Forsberg-Warleby G , MollerA, Blomstrand C: Life satisfaction in spouses of patients with stroke during the first year after stroke. J. Rehabil. Med.36(1), 4–11(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pinquart M , SorensenS: Associations of caregiver stressors and uplifts with subjective well-being and depressive mood: a meta-analytic comparison.Aging Ment. Health8(5), 438–449(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bethoux F , CalmelsP, GautheronMP, MinaireP: Quality of life of the spouse of stroke patients: a preliminary study.Int. J. Rehabil. Res.19, 291–299(1996).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• White CL , PoissantL, Cote-LeBlancG, Wood-DauphineeS: Long-term caregiving after stroke: the impact on caregivers’ quality of life.J. Neurosci. Nurs.38(5), 354–360(2006).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kauhanen M , KorpelainenJT, HiltunenPet al.: Poststroke depression correlates with cognitive impairment and neurological deficits. Stroke30, 1875–1880(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gaete JM , BogousslavskyJ: Post-stroke depression.Expert Rev. Neurother.8(1), 75–92(2008).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kim P , WarrenS, MadillH, HadleyM: Quality of life of stroke survivors.Qual. Life Res.8(4), 293–301(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ormel J , KempenGIJM, DeegDJH, BrilmanEI, Van Sonderen E, Relyveld J: Functioning, well-being, and health perception in late middle-aged and older people: comparing the effects of depressive symptoms and chronic medical conditions. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc.46(1), 39–48(1998).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Xu B -H, Hu Y-H: Quality of life in stroke patients. Chinese J. Clin. Rehabil.9(1), 136–138(2005).
   Google Scholar
• King R : Quality of life after stroke.Stroke27, 1467–1472(1996).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jonkman EJ , De Weerd AW, Vrijens NLH: Quality of life after a first ischemic stroke long-term developments and correlations with changes in neurological deficit, mood and cognitive impairment. Acta Neurol. Scand.98(3), 169–175(1998).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mackenzie A , ChangA: Predictors of quality of life following stroke.Disabil. Rehabil.24(5), 259–265(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carod-Artal FJ , EgidoJA, GonzalezJL, SeijasEV: Quality of life among stroke survivors evaluated 1 year after stroke: experience of a stroke unit.Stroke31(12), 2994–3000(2000).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sturm JW , DonnanGA, DeweyHMet al.: Quality of life after stroke: the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Stroke35, 2340–2345(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lofgren B , GustafsonY, NybergL: Psychological well-being 3 years after severe stroke.Stroke30, 567–572(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Evans RL , ConnisRT, BishopDS, HendricksRD, HaselkornJK: Stroke: a family dilemma.Disabil. Rehabil.16, 110–118(1994).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Anderson CS , LintoJ, Stewart-WynneEG: A population-based assessment of the impact and burden of caregiving for long-term stroke survivors.Stroke26, 843–849(1995).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elmstahl S , MalmbergB, AnnerstedtL: Caregiver‘s burden of patients 3 years after stroke assessed by a novel caregiver burden scale.Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil.77(2), 177–182(1996).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kotila M , NumminenH, WalimaO, Kaste M: Depression after stroke: results of the FINNSTROKE study. Stroke29, 368–372(1998).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Draper P , BrocklehurstH: The impact of stroke on the well-being of the patient‘s spouse: an exploratory study.J. Clin. Nurs.16(2), 264–271(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Franzen-Dahlin A , LarsonJ, MurrayV, WredlingR, BillingE: Predictors of psychologicl health in spouses of persons affected by stroke.J. Clin. Nurs.16, 885–891(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Larson J , Franzen-DahlinA, BillingE, von ArbinM, MurrayV, WredlingR: The impact of gender regarding psychological well-being and general life situation among spouses of stroke patients during the first year after the patients’ stroke event: a longitudinal study.Int. J. Nurs. Stud.45(2), 257–265(2008).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yacer A , ZunzuneguiMV, Gutierrez-CuadraP, BelandF, ZaritSH: Correlates of wellbeing of spousal and children carers of disabled people over 65 in Spain.Eur. J. Public Health12(1), 3–9(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Blake H , LincolnNB, ClarkeDD: Caregiver strain in spouses of stroke patients.Clin. Rehabil.17(3), 312–317(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schulz R , BeachSR: Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality.JAMA282, 2215–2219(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Grant JS , BartolucciAA, ElliotTR, Giger JN: Sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial characteristics of depressed and non-depressed family caregivers of stroke survivors. Brain Inj.14(12), 1089–100(2000).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Thompson SC : The search for meaning following a stroke.Basic Appl. Soc. Psych.12(1), 81–96(1991).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Archbold PG , StewartBJ, GreenlickMR, HarvathTA: Mutuality and preparedness as predictors of caregiver role strain.Res. Nurs. Health12, 375–384(1990).
   Google Scholar
• Antonovsky A : The moral and the healthy: identical, overlapping or orthogonal?Isr. J. Psychiatry Relat. Sci.32(1), 5–13(1995).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Haley WE , LaMondeLA, HanB, Burton AM, Schonwetter R: Predictors of depression and life satisfaction among spousal caregivers in hospice: application of a stress process model. J. Palliat. Med.6(2), 215–224(2003).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Nilsson I , AxelssonK, GustafsonY, Lundman B, Norberg A: Well-being, sense of coherence, and burnout in stroke victims and spouses during the first few months after stroke. Scand. J. Caring Sci.15(3), 203–214(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Palmer S , GlassT: Family function and stroke recovery: a review.Rehabil. Psychol.48, 255–265(2003).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Korpelainen JT , NieminenP, MyllylaVV: Sexual functioning among stroke patients and their spouses.Stroke30, 715–719(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Blonder LX , LangerSL, PettigrewLC, Garrity TF: The effects of stroke disability on spousal caregivers. NeuroRehabilitation22(2), 85–92(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kulik L : Attitudes toward spousal caregiving and their correlates among aging women.J. Women Aging13(3), 41–58(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Clark MS , SmithDS: Changes in family functioning for stroke rehabilitation patients and their families.Int. J. Rehabil. Res.22(3), 171–179(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Eriksson GK , ThamK, Fugl-MeyerAR: Couples’ happiness and its relationship to functioning in everyday life after brain injury.Scand. J. Occup. Ther.12(1), 40–48(2005).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Grant JS , ElliottTR, GigerJN, Bartolucci AA: Social problem-solving abilities, social support, and adjustment among family caregivers of individuals with a stroke. Rehabil. Psychol.46(1), 44–57(2001).
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Smout S , KoudstaalP, RibbersG, Janssen W, Passchier J: Struck by stroke: a pilot study exploring quality of life and coping patterns in younger patients and spouses. Int. J. Rehabil. Res.24(4), 261–268(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Studenski S , DuncanPW, PereraS, Reker D, Lai SM, Richards L: Daily functioning and quality of life in a randomized controlled trial of therapeutic exercise for subacute stroke survivors. Stroke36, 1764–1770(2005).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hellstrom K , LindmarkB, WahlbergB, Fugl-MeyerAR: Self-efficacy in relation to impairments and activities of daily living disability in elderly patients with stroke: a prospective investigation.J. Rehabil. Med.35(5), 202–207(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gabaldon L , FuentesB, Frank-GarciaA, Diez-TeedorE: Poststroke depression: Importance of its detection and treatment.Cerebrovasc. Dis.24(Suppl. 1), 181–188(2007).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Rombough RE , HowseEL, BaggSD, Bartfay WJ:A comparison of studies on the quality of life of primary caregivers of stroke survivors: a systematic review of the literature. Top. Stroke Rehabil.14(3), 69–79(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nir Z , ZolotogorskyZ, SugarmanH: Structured nursing intervention versus routine rehabilitation after stroke.Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil.83(7), 522–529(2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kalra L , EvansA, PerezIet al.: Training carers of stroke patients: randomised controlled trial. Br. Med. J.328(7448), 1099 (2004).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pierce LL , SteinerV, GovoniAL: In-home online support for caregivers of survivors of stroke: a feasibility study.Comput. Inform. Nurs.20(4), 157–164(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bakas T , AustinJK, JessupSL, WilliamsLS, OberstMT: Time and difficulty of tasks provided by family caregivers of stroke survivors.J. Neurosci. Nurs.36(2), 95–106(2004).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Wilz G , BarskovaT: Evaluation of a cognitive behavioral group intervention program for spouses of stroke patients.Behav. Res. Ther.45(10), 2508–2517(2007).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sorensen S , PinquartM, DubersteinP: How effective are interventions with caregivers? An updated meta-analysis.Gerontologist42(3), 356–372(2002).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lee JH , SoekenK, PicotSJ: A meta-analysis of interventions for informal stroke caregivers.West. J. Nurs. Res.29(1), 344–356(2007).
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Fang J , AldermanMH:. Trend of stroke hospitalization, United States, 1988–1997. Stroke32, 2221–2226(2001).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayo NE , Wood-DauphineeS, AhmedS: Disablement following stroke.Disabil. Rehabil.21(5–6), 258–268(1999).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP: Family Caregiving in the US: findings from a national survey. Washington DC, USA (1997).
   Google Scholar
• Schulz RJ , Newsom, Mittlemark M, Burton L, Hirsch C, Jackson S: Health effects of caregiving: the caregiver health effects study: an ancillary study of the Cardiovascular Health Study. Ann. Behav. Med.19(2), 110–6, (1997).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gitlin LN , BelleSH, BurgioLDet al.: Effect of multicomponent interventions on caregiver burden and depression: the REACH multisite initiative at 6-month follow-up. Psychol Aging18(3), 361–374(2003).
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Websites

• Mackay J, Mensah G: The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization (2004). www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/resources/atlas/en/
   Google Scholar
• American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2008. www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1928
   Google Scholar
• Jones VN: The Forgotten Survivor. (Electronic version). Stroke Smart (2006). www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SS_MAG_so2006_feature_forgot
   Google Scholar
• Administration on Aging: A Profile of Older Americans. US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA (2006). www.aoa.gov/prof/Statistics/profile/2006/2006profile.doc
   Google Scholar