Relationship between personality and poststroke functional outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: Factors such as age and stroke severity are commonly used to predict poststroke functional outcomes and tailor stroke rehabilitation therapy. However, the role of personality in stroke rehabilitation and its influence on functional outcomes is unclear. This review aims to assess whether an association exists between personality and poststroke functional outcomes.

Methods: We searched Medline, AMED, APA PsychINFO, CENTRAL, CINAHL and Scopus for studies published between database inception and 22 October 2024. Studies were included if they recruited adults with stroke, used a validated method to assess personality and poststroke functional outcomes and were published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Results: Five studies were identified (n=424): four cohort and one cross-sectional. There were no major concerns regarding risk of bias. Methods of assessing personality and poststroke functional outcome both varied, with Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire and Barthel Index being the most frequently used. Extroversion, openness and lie-tendency were associated with improved poststroke functional outcomes, while type D personality was negatively associated with poststroke functional outcomes.

Conclusions: There is some evidence for an association between personality and poststroke functional outcomes, but this is limited by the small number of relevant studies and small sample sizes. Further studies are needed to investigate this potential relationship.

Prospero registration number: CRD42024592518.