Back to work after stroke

Stroke is one of the most common and most resource-demanding diseases in Sweden. About 20% of all those who suffer stroke are of working age, but roughly 25% of these are sick-listed or in early retirement before the stroke. Recovery after stroke is a protracted process and the outcome is difficult to forecast, because of the often highly complex range of functional disabilities. Independence is the main goal of rehabilitation measures, with a return to work as an important part. There can be many obstacles, however, such as lack of knowledge - among the individual, the family, and employers - about functional impairments and their consequences. The majority of studies about the consequences of stroke shed light on functional impairments and restrictions in ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), with the focus on personal hygiene, eating situations, dressing and undressing and movement.
One explanation can be that the mean age of stroke victims is high, so that focusing on productive activities does not seem relevant. Many people, however, suffer stroke in working age, and research is therefore needed with a focus on work. The overall aim of the project is to arrive at a deeper knowledge of which factors are important for return to work after stroke, which is expected to lead to improved individual rehabilitation with increased relevance to working life and return to work. The project is geared to life satisfaction and well-being after stroke, indicators of return to work, the significance of work, and the individual's experiences during work training for return to work. The project comprises both quantitative and qualitative studies. The results show, for example, that walking ability, white-collar jobs, and retained cognitive capacity are indicators for return to work. A number of people were interviewed in-depth in 2005 and the collected data are now being processed.