Catherine Cooper Hay

Patient-centered mobility outcome preferences according to individuals with stroke and caregivers: a qualitative analysis

Abstract Purpose: To explore the mobility-related preferences among stroke survivors and caregivers following post-acute rehabilitation at inpatient or skilled nursing facilities. Methods: In this cross-sectional study; semi-structured, qualitative interviews of stroke survivors (n = 24) and informal caregivers (n = 15) were conducted. The participants were recruited from the community. Results: Comparative content analysis was used to identify themes by two independent coders. The survivors (68 years) and caregivers (58 years) mentioned mobility-related consequences including inability to walk, balance, drive, and transfer; and increased falls. The survivors (63%) and caregivers (73%) also mentioned the use of assistive devices. The common rehabilitation activities included: walking (62%); followed by standing and mobility; strength and balance; and wheelchair skills. Some stroke survivors were dissatisfied as their rehabilitation was not patient-centered. Frequently mentioned outcome preferences by survivors were ability to walk (88%), move, and balance. They also wanted to acquire assistive devices to move independently. Caregivers were concerned with the survivor’s safety and wanted them to drive (53%), prevent falls, have home accommodations, and transfer independently. Caregivers (40%) also expressed the importance of receiving realistic information. Conclusions: This study suggests a need to consider the stroke survivors’ and caregivers’ mobility outcome preferences to improve the patient-centered rehabilitation care. Implications for Rehabilitation Stroke survivors and caregivers tend to differ in their outcome preferences. Caregivers expressed concern for transfers, driving, fall prevention, home modifications, and wished for realistic information. Incorporating stroke survivors and their families’ perspectives during rehabilitation may enhance patient-centered outcomes.

Feasibility Study Using Propensity Score Matching Methods for the Pseudo-Common Person Equating Requirement

We tested if a propensity score (PS) matching method supports the unidimensionality assumption of the Rasch model which is critical to link similar rehabilitation instruments. We obtained 1,013 respondents from the 2009 Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly Frailty study. We used a unidimensional item pool of 10 SF-36 physical function and nine activities of daily living items. Subjects were matched based on their functionality (high and low), and exploratory factor analysis was used to test if the item pool in the matched sample holds the unidimensionality assumption. The study findings revealed that the matched sample demonstrated two distinct measurement structures with excellent model fit. This finding indicates that the PS matching did not mimic the common-person assumption. Therefore, the combination of PS matching and common-person equating method may not be appropriate to equate two rehabilitation-related instruments administered to two different groups.

Lived experiences of chronic cognitive and mood symptoms among community-dwelling adults following stroke: a mixed-methods analysis

Abstract Objectives: Few studies have explored the lived experiences of chronic cognitive and mood symptoms following stroke using a racially/ethnically diverse sample. Therefore, we aimed to explore the perceptions of chronic post-stroke cognition and mood symptoms and goals among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of community-dwelling adults aging with stroke. Method: This qualitative study using mixed-methods analysis included semi-structured interviews regarding perceived post-stroke cognitive and mood symptoms among community-dwelling stroke survivors at least one-year post stroke. Transcripts were subjected to thematic content analysis, and differences in theme usage patterns by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and post-acute rehabilitation setting were assessed using an inferential clustering technique. Results: The majority of participants (93%) reported cognition-related themes, including language and communication, memory, thinking abilities, comprehension, visual-spatial processing, and cognitive assessments and training. Nearly half of participants mentioned mood-related themes, including depression, aggression and anger, mood fluctuations, anxiety, and psychological services and medication. Nearly half reported an unmet need for cognition or mood-related treatment. Inferential clustering analysis revealed that older participants reported a different pattern of cognitive and mood symptoms than those aged younger than 65 (p = 0.02). Older adults were more likely to describe post-stroke language/communication changes, while younger adults described post-stroke mood changes. Conclusion: Stroke survivors experienced cognitive and mood-related symptoms beyond one-year post stroke, which has implications for long-term assessment and management. Incorporation of continued symptom monitoring into existing community-based services is needed to address chronic cognitive and mood symptoms affecting the quality of life of persons with stroke.

Application of the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index: Development of a keyform for use in clinical practice

Objective To demonstrate the clinical application of the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) using Rasch analysis. Methods A total of 276 patients with neurological disorders were assessed with the K-MBI in outpatient clinics. The Rasch partial-credit model was used to generate a keyform based on investigating the psychometric properties of the K-MBI, including dimensionality, precision (person strata and reliability), and hierarchical item difficulty. The Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) in item difficulty was used to establish right-challenging treatment goals and long-term treatment plans. Results The findings demonstrated that the Korean version of the MBI satisfied the assumption of unidimensionality. It also showed a hierarchical structure in terms of item difficulty, good reliability (Cronbach alpha, 0.92), and approximately five distinct person strata (4.6). The MDC (raw score, 20.1) of the item difficulty of the test items demonstrated equivalent cutoff scores for targeted short-term treatment goals on the keyform, a Rasch-derived display of patient responses. Long-term treatment goals were identified based on the test items of the keyform. Conclusions The findings suggest that a Rasch keyform can be applied to clinical practice in Korean settings by identifying clinically and statistically meaningful test items and their step thresholds as short- and long-term goals.