Aims

To assess the quality of life (QOL) of people after ischemic stroke and to determine the influence of gender and side of hemiparesis on the patient’s self-perception of QOL.

Material and methods

The study involved 50 patients who were divided into 2 groups based on gender. The modified version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL) was used to assess QOL, and the Modified Rivermead Motor Assessment (MRMA), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the Upper Extremity Modified Motor Assessment (UEMMA) were used to assess the effects of rehabilitation. The comprehensive neurorehabilitation programme was conducted in an outpatient clinic over a period of 3 weeks, 5 days a week, and included specialised physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy. Exercises according to the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and Bobath methods were performed.

Results

After the applied comprehensive neurorehabilitation, an improvement was obtained in all examined indicators (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The side of hemiparesis was found to be related to self- perceived QOL. The patient’s gender had no effect on the assessed indicators. Similarly, there was no correlation between the patients’ age and QOL parameters.