Do individual versus illness belief schema differ in the prediction of post-stroke recovery?

Abstract

This longitudinal observational study examined how individual versus illness belief schema compare as predictors of post-stroke recovery. A total of 42 stroke survivors (mean age = 66.9 years/range = 29–96 years; 68% male) were involved. The primary outcome, Health-Related Quality of Life was measured using EQ-5D-5L, mood using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and disability using Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale. Stroke Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised measured illness beliefs. Linear regressions showed that individual illness beliefs significantly explained more of the variance in 3-month post-stroke recovery than schema (7.4%–22.5% versus 1.9%–9.9%). Individual versus illness belief schema predict outcomes differently, but which approach predicts outcomes better remains unclear.