The impact of stroke on quality of life

Numerous limitations are caused by stroke, and these are directly related to quality of life and the impact such limitations have on individuals’ lives, in functional, social, and psychological aspects. Objective: To obtain a profile of the impact that stroke has on the quality of life of these individuals through the use of a specific questionnaire for hemiplegic patients in a virtual environment. Method: The Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQOL) questionnaire, designed for hemiplegic individuals, was applied in a closed social media group composed of people who had suffered a stroke. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 299 participants, of whom 223 (74.6%) were female and 76 (25.4%) male. The most prevalent age group was 40 to 59 years, n = 169 (56.5%), followed by 18 to 39 years, n = 96 (32.1%), and over 60 years, n = 34 (11.4%). The most prevalent type of stroke in this sample was ischemic stroke, n = 181 (60.5%), followed by hemorrhagic stroke, n = 85 (28.4%), brainstem stroke, n = 5 (1.7%), and unknown type, n = 7 (2.3%). In this study, the most affected specific domains according to the SSQOL were: Social Roles, Energy, Personality, Family Roles, Mood, and Work/Productivity. Conclusion: Stroke significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life, especially in the emotional aspect, highlighting the need for follow-up that includes not only physical rehabilitation but also emotional support.