The relationship between social cognition and participation in the long term after stroke

Annemarie P. M. Stiekema, Britta Nijsse, Paul L. M. de Kort, Jacoba M. Spikman, Johanna M. A. Visser-Meily, Caroline M. van Heugten*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Social cognitive impairments may play a role in participation restrictions after stroke. Understanding their relationship could inform treatment approaches to improve participation. We investigated the relationship between social cognition and participation in the long term after stroke. Of 395 patients participating in a large prospective cohort study, cross-sectional data were available at 3-4 years post-stroke of 118 patients on tests for emotion recognition, theory of mind, empathy, and behaviour regulation. Participation was assessed with the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation - Participation (USER-P). Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between social cognitive domains and participation. The majority suffered from minor stroke (83.1% scored NIHSS 0-4). Only behaviour regulation was related to participation restrictions in bivariate analysis, but social cognitive impairments did not predict participation restrictions in multivariate regression in this group. To conclude, in a sample of minor stroke patients with mild impairments in theory of mind, emotion recognition and behavioural control, there were no associations with restrictions in participation. Research should examine whether a relationship is present in patients with more severe stroke. In addition, measuring social aspects of participation is necessary to further unravel this relationship, to determine treatment targets for improving participation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278-292
Number of pages15
JournalNeuropsychological Rehabilitation
Volume31
Issue number2
Early online date2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Brain injury
  • Theory of mind
  • Empathy
  • Emotion recognition
  • Participation
  • TRAUMATIC BRAIN-INJURY
  • EMOTION RECOGNITION
  • FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES
  • UTRECHT SCALE
  • SCHIZOPHRENIA
  • IMPAIRMENTS
  • LESIONS
  • MIND
  • INDIVIDUALS
  • DEFICITS

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The relationship between social cognition and participation in the long term after stroke'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this