The role of subjective cognitive complaints and depressive symptoms in social re-integration following stroke

I got nothing out of this. 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10749357.2018.1489570

Sophe Kimonides, Marina G. Cavuoto, Laksiri De Silva & Glynda J. Kinsella

Received 03 Jan 2018, Accepted 06 Jun 2018, Published online: 24 Jul 2018

• Download citation
• https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2018.1489570

 

Select Language​▼

Translator disclaimer

• 
  

Abstract

Background

For long-term stroke survivors, objective neuropsychological impairments and subjective cognitive difficulties are common, and may contribute to ongoing difficulties in community reintegration. However, subjective cognitive complaints have been as much associated with low mood as with actual cognitive performance.

Objective

The objective of our study was to investigate the extent to which subjective cognitive complaints predicted community reintegration following a stroke, and whether this relationship would be mediated by emotional status.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke (n = 102; age range 25–89 years) were recruited from the register of a neurological rehabilitation service if they were at least 6 months post-stroke and had been discharged home following the stroke. Exclusions included history of dementia, co-morbid psychiatric or neurological disorder, or significant aphasia. Assessments included the Subjective Cognitive Complaints Questionnaire, the Community Integration Questionnaire, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale.

Results

Subjective cognitive complaints were common, with moderate to high levels of complaint most frequent for working memory (58.9%), and information processing speed (53%). Subjective cognitive complaints were significantly associated with social integration (r = −.23, p < .05). However, examination of relationships using statistical mediation revealed that depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between subjective cognitive complaints and social integration.

Conclusions

Subjective cognitive complaints are common in long-term outcome following stroke and predict difficulty in community reintegration. However, this relationship is mediated by variation in emotional status. Therefore, addressing cognitive complaints through cognitive rehabilitation programs that include components to improve mood (for example, building self-efficacy or confidence) may also improve community reintegration post-stroke.