Factors Affecting on the Quality of Life in Stroke Patients under Rehabilitation and Family Caregivers

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors affecting on the level of the quality of life of stroke patients and their family caregivers. METHOD: Among the stroke patients receiving rehabilitation treatment at forty three out patient clinic in university hospitals, 289 stroke patients who scored over 24 out of 30 points in MMSE-K and their family caregivers were interviewed using questionnaires. RESULTS: The main contributory variable on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers was the socio-demographic factor and QOL of caregivers was improved with decreasing age, the higher level of education, the less burden of care and the better condition of patient. High correlation coefficients were showed between QOL of stroke patients and ADL, QOL of caregivers and burden of care, and the burden of care and the neurological impairment. The main contributory variable on the QOL of stroke patients was clinical characteristics factor and QOL of stroke patients was improved with increasing the levels of cognitive function and ADL performance, decreasing the level of neurological impairment, the more social support from friends and the less burden of caregivers. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the QOL of stroke patients, not only patients' physical factors, but psychological factors, socio-demographic factors and QOL of caregivers should also be considered.