Illness Representations, Psychological Distress, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms on the Physical Recovery From Stroke: A Study Protocol

Abstract

There has been extensive research to look at the pharmacological effects on immediate recovery after stroke. However, there is lack of research to investigate the contributions of other effects that influence recovery after stoke. The study aims is to determine the extent of psychological factors such as illness representations, perceived control, psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms in predicting recovery from disability following stroke. A cross sectional and longitudinal study with two times lines (six weeks and six months post−stroke) will be conducted in this study. It will consists of 180 patients from UKM Medical Centre. The idea of enhancing recovery from disability through the usage of psychological variables is important to assist recovery despite depending on a fully medical approach. Hence, it will provide information to the healthcare services and the government to improve the services and treatment intervention of the stroke sufferers.