Factors Influencing Returning to Work of Stroke Patients
Keywords:
Stroke Patients, Return to Work, Activity of Daily Living, CognitionAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with and the proportion of return to work among stroke patients. The sample consisted of 132 stroke patients who received rehabilitation services at the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Social Support. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression The results revealed that return to work among stroke patients was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with occupational type, stroke severity, cognitive function, and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Patients engaged in occupations emphasizing intellectual or office-based tasks (white-Collar) were 4.5 times more likely to return to work compared with those involved in physically demanding jobs (blue-Collar) (p = .003, OR = 4.495, 95% CI = 1.643–12.299). Greater stroke severity was associated with a lower likelihood of returning to work (p = .024, OR = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.447–0.945). In addition, patients without cognitive impairment were 3.8 times more likely to return to work than those with cognitive deficits (p = .010, OR = 3.785, 95% CI = 1.374–10.433), and patients with a higher ability to perform activities of daily living were twice as likely to do so. Overall, 59.1% of participants successfully returned to work. The average duration for patients to return to work was about 7.63 months (SD.= 5.85). These findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of return to work after stroke, influenced by personal, health-related, and environmental factors. Understanding these factors is essential for developing holistic and integrated rehabilitation strategies combining physical, cognitive, and vocational rehabilitation to enhance work reintegration, reduce dependency, and improve long-term quality of life among stroke survivors.
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