Shirneshan E, Smith E, Shewale A, Stokes J, Kosa K, DiBenedetti D. Patient and caregiver experiences with ischaemic stroke: results from a qualitative study. Poster presented at the 11th European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC) 2025; May 21, 2025. Helsinki, Finland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Qualitative research was conducted to understand experiences of recovery from ischaemic stroke and identify key treatment outcomes from the perspective of patients, caregivers, and clinicians.

METHODS: Patients experiencing ischaemic stroke of at least moderate severity (clinician-confirmed) in the past 24 months; nonpaid, nonprofessional caregivers; and US neurologists were interviewed.

RESULTS: Participants included 20 patients (aged 52–81 years, 55.0% female, mean 9.5 months post-stroke), 8 caregivers (aged 30–80 years, 62.5% female, mean 9.9 months post-stroke), and 3 clinicians (mean 16.6 years practicing) recruited from February–September 2023. Post-stroke, ≥65% of patients and caregivers reported problems with walking, balance, fatigue, muscular problems, and speech; ≥75% reported impact on daily and family responsibilities, work, emotions, self-care, and social life. ≥75% of caregivers reported that caring for someone with stroke impacted their daily and family responsibilities, work, emotions, and social life. Most bothersome changes post-stroke were with motor coordination, mobility, and speech (Figure 1). Patients and caregivers prioritised improving different post-stroke deficits with treatment; ≥25% of both groups prioritised walking and speech (Table). Clinicians provided insight on stroke outcome measures and characterised the post-stroke experience. All interviews informed updates to a conceptual model of ischaemic stroke-related deficits and impacts developed from a literature review (Figure 2).

CONCLUSION: Ischaemic stroke significantly impacts patients and caregivers, each with unique perspectives on recovery priorities. Findings highlight the need to improve motor coordination, balance, and speech with treatment to improve quality of life and independence post-stroke.