The mediating effect of anxiety on the association between residual neurological impairment and post-stroke participation among persons with and without post-stroke depression

Previous research has reported that residual neurological impairment and emotional factors play a role in regaining successful participation post-stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the mediating impact of anxiety on the association between residual neurological impairment and participation in survivors with and without post-stroke depressive symptoms. Participants (N = 79) were classified into 2 categories, those with post-stroke depressive symptoms (N = 40) and those without post-stroke depressive symptoms (N = 39). Variables measured in this study: residual neurological impairment (NIH Stroke Scale Score), participation (Reintegration to Normal Living Index), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). A regression-based mediation analysis was conducted for each group of participants. The majority of participants had some level of anxiety. Residual neurological impairment predicted participation in stroke survivors both with (β = -.45, p = .003) and without (β = -.45, p = .004) post-stroke depressive symptoms. Anxiety mediated this relationship in participants with depressive symptoms (β = -.19, 95% CI = -.361 ∼ -.049), but not in participants without depressive symptoms (β = -.18, 95% CI = -.014 ∼ .378). Depressive and anxious symptoms should both be addressed to best facilitate participation by stroke survivors.