Efficacy of Kinematic Therapy on Mood Disorders, Functional Independence Recovery and Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Background and Aims: Mood disorders impact negatively on rehabilitation process and outcomes in stroke survivors (SSv). This study determined efficacy of Kinematic Therapy (KT) on depression, anxiety, functional independence (FI) and QoL of SSv. Methodology: Study involved 940 ambulant SSv recruited from eight health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria and were assessed for depression, anxiety, QoL and FI using Becks Depression Inventory, Becks Anxiety Inventory, Stroke-Specific-QoL questionnaire and FI Measure respectively. They were randomised into KT and Common Physiotherapy (CP) groups. The KT received 25minutes of kinematic therapy while the CP received usual physiotherapy, twice weekly for 6weeks. Results: Six hundred and seventy-four (343males) of the 940 SSv were diagnosed of depression and/or anxiety and participated in this study; 341(50.59%) were in KT while 333 were in SP. More (81.23%) of KT had mild mood disturbance before intervention while 92.36% of them had normal mood after. More (83.18%) of SP had borderline mood disorder before intervention while 84.69% had normal mood after. There was significant (p<0.05) improvement in depression, anxiety, QoL and FI except in language, personality, family role, self care, social role, thinking and upper-limb function in SP. The KT had significantly better improvement all the outcomes than SP. There was negative significant relationship (p<0.05) between depression and anxiety, and FI and QoL. There was positive significant relationship (p<0.05) between FI and QoL except in vision domain. Conclusion: Mood disorders is common in stroke survivors. Kinematic Therapy is more effective in managing depression and anxiety symptoms and improving functional independent recovery and quality of life than conventional physiotherapy in stroke survivors.