New research has found that only about half of stroke survivors are able to return to work following the stroke.
Though most strokes occur among older adults who are retired, about 20 percent of strokes occur among people of working age.
Researchers in Australia and New Zealand examined 210 stroke survivors who’d previously been working, and found that disability from the stroke—weakness, and speech and movement impediment—as well as depression were major causes for patients’ inability to return to work.
The researchers say more research is needed to determine interventions for stroke-related depression, and to improve stroke survivors’ quality of life.
