Research in Stroke Self-Management

Sharon D. Anderson
Stroke Survivors Tattler

Jan 27 / 2015

What is Self-management?

Self-management is the individual’s ability to be the director of their care. The assumption is that they have the knowledge, understanding and resources to make decisions around their health (physical, social and emotional health) and work in partnership with all members of their health care team.

What is the Goal of Self-management Education?

Self-management education should help people to make choices about their health including: 1) Understanding the medical condition; 2) Learning skills to deal with current problems and new problems that arise; 3) Incorporating new health behaviours into daily life; and 4) Increasing knowledge about emotional well-being.

What if i don’t Feel I Can Manage by Myself? Does Self-management Preclude Getting Support to Self-manage?

Self-management can be supported by service providers, family, friends and community professionals. They may support you by providing informational, practical, or emotional support.

Currently self-management is regarded as collaborative—helping you to create your self-management plan in partnership with health professionals, spouse, family, community professionals, friends,  and other supporters.

(Lawn & Schoo, 2009, p 2 ) 

Examples of Self- Management Resources and Current Programs

Canada:

• Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa
• Southwestern Ontario Stroke Network 

United States:

• Mayo Clinic 

United Kingdom:

• Chest Heart and Stroke North Ireland—Network of stroke self-management services 
• Bridges Stroke Self-Management Program (no longer recruiting)  

The Bridges stroke self-management programme was developed by Professor Fiona Jones in 2005, in response to a need for improved longer term support for stroke survivors. The programme has been developed in close collaboration with stroke survivors, carers and stroke professionals, and it aims to support stroke survivors to develop their self-management skills.

There is evidence that self-efficacy is an important variable associated with various outcomes post-stroke. These outcomes include quality of life or perceived health status, depression, ADL and, to a certain extent, physical functioning. Further empirical evidence is needed to extend these findings, and to determine whether self-efficacy has additional predictive value over and beyond the objective measures of impairment. There is also emerging evidence of benefits to be gained from programmes that target self-management based on self-efficacy principles; however, the optimal format of delivering these interventions for stroke survivors is not clear.

• Bridges Self-Management
• South West Self-Management

PLANS for Stroke University of Manchester

Reducing social isolation for people affected by stroke: Development and evaluation of ‘PLANS for stroke’, a self-management tool for stroke survivors and their carers

• Manchester Self-Management
• Glasgow Caledonian University Self-Management

Australia

A Self-efficacy Enhancing Stroke Self-management Program for Community-dwelling Stroke Survivors (SESSMP)

University of Queensland Clinical Trials (Recruiting)

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led self-efficacy enhancing stroke self-management program on recovery of community-dwelling stroke survivors.

• A Self-Efficacy Enhancing Stroke Self-Management

Lo, S.H.S., Chang, A., Chau, J.P.C.  & Gardner, G. (2010). Self- management programs for promoting recovery in community dwelling stroke survivors: a systematic review Susanne H.S. Lo, Anne Chang, Janita P.C. Chau, Glenn Gardner Disability and  Rehabilitation 33(10), 797-810. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2010.511415.