Stroke has profound consequences across motor, cognitive, and psychological domains. While motor impairments are often the primary focus of rehabilitation, research emphasizes that cognitive and psychological sequelae critically influence long-term functioning, quality of life, and overall recovery. Psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and stress, affect motivation, emotional regulation, and active participation in rehabilitation, representing a significant public health concern and highlighting the need for comprehensive care that incorporates structured psychological support.
Stroke is typically a sudden and life-altering event not only for patients but also for their family members, who often assume the role of primary caregivers. The quality of family functioning significantly affects patients’ psychological recovery, while long-term caregiving imposes substantial emotional, physical, and social burdens. Targeted psychosocial interventions involving both patients and caregivers have demonstrated particular effectiveness, promoting improved adjustment and well-being for both parties.
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a supportive psychotherapeutic group on the psychological functioning of individuals after stroke, focusing on depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional and behavioral adjustment. The findings indicated statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms and stress, along with moderate improvements in anxiety. Qualitative results further revealed enhanced mood, relaxation, and emotional regulation among most participants, with progress being highly individualized and associated with functional level and capacity to engage in group dynamics.
These results underscore the importance of integrating psychological support into stroke rehabilitation and highlight the pivotal role of caregivers in maintaining and reinforcing improvements in the home environment. Key challenges remain the heterogeneity of the post-stroke population, the need for highly individualized psychological interventions, and limited access to such support in clinical practice. Future directions include ensuring long-term continuity of psychological care, systematically involving caregivers in the therapeutic process, and conducting studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods to assess sustained psychological effects of interventions, representing a significant opportunity to advance comprehensive post-stroke rehabilitation.
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