Whether perceived limb heaviness affects return to work among patients with ischemic stroke

This study aims to explore the relationship between perceived limb heaviness and return to work (RTW) among ischemic stroke patients. We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive participants recruited in the CIRCLE study. Perceived limb heaviness was gathered from self-reported by 1-year follow-up. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors of RTW. A total of 209 participants completed the study. The participants were predominately 81.3% male, with a mean age of 51.24 ± 9.09 years. In total, 79 participants (37.8%) had returned to work 12 months after the stroke, 36 (17.2%) felt limb heaviness, and 67.9% had a son or 2 sons. The participants who had not RTW were on contemplation status, and those who had RTW were on proactive maintenance status. Logistic regression analysis showed that participants with 2 sons were independently associated with an increased chance of RTW (P = .016, odds ratio [OR] = 3.990). Participants who had perceived limb heaviness were independently associated with a low rate of RTW compared with no perceived limb heaviness (P = .009, OR = 0.235). This research finds that participants experiencing limb heaviness might lower the rate of RTW after 12 months. The other interesting finding is that participants with 2 sons might have a higher rate of RTW.