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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Eugene TangORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Cognitive impairment is common early after stroke but trajectories over the long term are variable. Some stroke survivors make a full recovery, while others retain a stable impairment or decline. This study explored the perceived advantages and disadvantages of discussing potential cognitive trajectories with stroke survivors and their family members. Stroke survivors at least six-months post-stroke were purposively sampled from an existing pool of research volunteers recruited originally for the OCS-Recovery study. They were invited, alongside a family member, to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty-six stroke survivors and eleven family members participated. We identified one overarching theme and three related subthemes. The overarching theme was: One size does not fit all. The subthemes were: (1) Hearing about potential cognitive trajectories helps to develop realistic expectations; (2) Discussions about cognitive trajectories may be motivating; (3) Cognitive decline and post-stroke dementia discussions may be anxiety-provoking and depressing. Healthcare professionals should adopt a person-centred approach to sharing information about post-stroke cognitive trajectories. Discussions should be tailored to individual needs and preferences, with dementia-related topics in particular addressed with the utmost selectivity and sensitivity.
Author(s): Hobden G, Tang EYH, Demeyere N
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Year: 2024
Volume: 34
Issue: 10
Pages: 1404-1421
Online publication date: 17/02/2024
Acceptance date: 16/01/2024
Date deposited: 04/03/2024
ISSN (print): 0960-2011
ISSN (electronic): 1464-0694
Publisher: Routledge
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2024.2314882
DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2024.2314882
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