Abstract Body: Introduction
Growing evidence suggested that visual arts-based interventions contributed to improvements in psychosocial functioning among stroke survivors. However, such interventions examining in previous evidence were mainly conducted in the in-patient settings. This might limit access by community-dwelling stroke survivors.
Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and impact of a visual arts-based intervention on promoting psychosocial functioning of community-dwelling stroke survivors.
Methods
A two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adults with stroke were recruited from community centers and support groups. Participants in the intervention group received the visual arts-based intervention grounded on Bandura’s principles of self-efficacy, involving a four-week, face-to-face, 90-mintue weekly group session, led by a trained registered nurse. A workbook with four sources of enhancing self-efficacy and successful stroke recovery experience shared by peers with stroke was also provided. Targeted outcomes, with general self-efficacy as the primary outcome, along with the secondary outcomes, including psychological distress, social participation, and health-related quality of life, were assessed immediately and one-month after completing the intervention. The generalized estimating equations model was adopted to compare the differences in outcomes between the intervention and control groups across time points relative to baseline.
Results
A total of 144 stroke survivors (mean age: 68.41, SD: 11.64) were recruited and randomly allocated to intervention (n=72) and control (n=72) groups (attrition rate: 10.42%). The mean duration of the group session was 82.46 minutes (SD: 15.75). The generalized estimating equations analysis showed that participants in the intervention group had greater improvements in general self-efficacy, social participation, and health-related quality of life, as well as decrease in psychological distress in both follow-up assessments compared with the control group. Participants were satisfied with their involvement in the intervention, which rated the aspects of content, usefulness, material, facilitator, and arrangement of the intervention with a mean score exceeding 3.3 out of 5 for each item.
Conclusion
The results showed the benefits of visual arts-based intervention for stroke recovery. It is worthwhile to further explore its longer-term effects as a community program for community-dwelling stroke survivors.