Effectiveness of health management among individuals at high risk of stroke: An intervention study based on the health ecology model and self-determination theory (HEM-SDT).

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death in adults worldwide. However, up to 80% of strokes can be prevented by modifying risk factors. Objective: The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Health Ecology Model and Self-Determination Theory (HEM-SDT) based health management intervention among individuals at high risk of stroke. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Zhengzhou from May 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2020. A total of 229 participants were recruited for the study, with 116 individuals at high risk of stroke being randomly assigned to the HEM-SDT health management group, while 113 participants were enrolled in the control group, following their current routine practices. The Generalized Estimating Equation model (GEE) was used to analyze the differences in health knowledge, belief and, behavior between the two groups at the beginning of the intervention, and at 6-month intervals after the intervention. The chi-square test was utilized to assess the control rate of risk factors. Results: After 6 months of intervention, there were significant improvements in health knowledge, behavior, and belief among the participants. The study found significant differences in the interaction effects between time and group for health knowledge (Mean, SD = 25.62 ± 3.88, 95%CI: 7.944-9.604, P＜0.001), health belief (Mean, SD = 87.18 ± 14.21, 95%CI: 23.999-29.887, P＜0.001), and health behavior (Mean, SD = 173.28 ± 24.22, 95%CI: 22.332-36.904, P＜0.001). Additionally, the rates of hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, high or medium risk condition of stroke, obesity, hyperhomocysteinemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise also showed statistical significance (P＜0.05) after the intervention. Conclusion: The HEM-SDT health management model improves the health knowledge, behavior, and beliefs in people at high risk of stroke and remarkably it shows improvement in modifiable risk factors. It can be recommended for systematic health management in people at high-risk of stroke.

Is sleep quality a moderated mediator between perceived stress and depression among stroke patients?

Background: Sleep quality can offer new insights into addressing depression among stroke patients. However, the current understanding of the mechanism by which sleep quality reduces depression is not clear in existing research. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relationships and mechanisms among perceived stress, sleep quality, social support, and depression in stroke patients. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2023. Cluster random sampling was used to recruit 500 stroke patients from five hospitals in Henan Province, China. The Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) were employed to assess perceived stress, sleep quality, social support, and depression, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting. Results: Out of 500 participants, 471 completed the survey (94.2%). After controlling for sex and age, mediation analysis revealed that poor sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and depression (ß = 0.184, 95% CI: 0.110, 0.359). Additionally, social support played a moderating role in the mediation model. Conclusion: This study explained the moderated mediation of sleep quality and social support between perceived stress and depression. It provided a theoretical basis for the development of a sleep quality intervention program for reducing depression among stroke patients.