Participation restrictions and satisfaction with participation in partners of patients with stroke

Objective: To investigate participation restrictions and satisfaction with participation in partners of patients with stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Five rehabilitation centers and 3 hospitals in The Netherlands. Participants: A consecutive sample of 54 partners of patients with stroke. The patients were participating in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Participation restrictions as a result of the patient's stroke and satisfaction with participation measured with the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation–Participation. Results: The number of participation restrictions differed between partners of patients with stroke. The median number of participation restrictions experienced was 2 for the 11 activities assessed. Most participation restrictions were reported regarding paid work, unpaid work, or education, relationship with partner (ie, patient), and going out. Partners were least satisfied regarding going out, sports or other physical exercise, and day trips and other outdoor activities. The participation restrictions and satisfaction with participation were significantly correlated (ρ=0.65; P<.001), although this relation between participation restrictions and satisfaction with participation differed for the various activities. Differences between satisfied partners with participation restrictions and dissatisfied partners concerned anxiety (U=93.0; P=.026), depression (U=81.5, P=.010), and the number of restrictions experienced (U=50.0; P<.001). Conclusions: There is great variety in restrictions experienced by partners regarding different activities and in their satisfaction with these activities. Specific assessment is therefore important when supporting partners of patients with stroke.