Carepartner Collaborative Integrated Therapy in Sub-Acute Stroke

Depression among carepartners was assessed with the CES-D. The CES-D is 20-item, 4-point Likert-type scale where 0 = none/rare and 3 = most or all of the time. The scoring of positive items is reversed. The possible range of scores is 0 to 60, with the higher scores indicating the presence of more symptomatology. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Carepartner quality of life was assessed with the SF-36. The SF-36 is a 36-item Likert-type scale, mental health domain. The SF-36 consists of eight scaled scores, which are the weighted sums of the questions in their section. Each scale is directly transformed into a 0-100 scale on the assumption that each question carries equal weight. Lower scores indicate greater disability, while higher scores indicate less disability (i.e. a score of zero is equivalent to maximum disability and a score of 100 is equivalent to no disability). Unadjusted means are presented here.

The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) assesses upper extremity motor ability with 17 timed and functional tasks (15 timed and 2 strength tasks). Functional ability for each task is scored from 0 to 5, where 0 = does not attempt with upper extremity being tested, and 5 = movement appears to be normal. Total scores range from 0 to 85 and lower scores indicate lower functional ability. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) assesses upper extremity motor ability with 17 functional tasks (15 timed and 2 strength tasks). The time, in seconds, required to complete each of 15 timed scores is calculated, with lower times (faster speeds) indicating higher functioning levels. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The Motor Activity Log is 30-item questionnaire assessing use of the affected arm during normal daily activities. Responses are given on a Likert scale where 0 = the weaker arm was not used at all for that activity (never) to 5 = the ability to use the weaker arm for that activity was as good as before the stroke (normal). The total score is the average of all items and ranges from 0 to 5, where higher values indicate greater function of the arm that was impacted by the stroke. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Quality of life among stroke survivors was assessed with the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). The SIS is a stroke specific, self report questionnaire (59 items across 8 domains) that measures how a stroke has impacted a participant's health and life, including strength, memory and thinking, emotions and mood, communication, activities of daily living, mobility, function of affected upper extremity, and social participation. Each item is rated in a 5-point Likert scale in terms of the difficulty the participant has experienced in completing each item. A score for each domain is obtained, ranging from 0 to 100 where higher scores indicate greater ability to perform tasks. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The Family Care Climate Questionnaire (FCCQ) for carepartners is 14-item questionnaire asking about the carepartners' experiences with the strokes survivor in relation to their rehabilitation activities. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not true at all) to 7 (very true). Item scores are averaged to provide an overall score between 1 and 7 where higher scores indicate the carepartner thinks they are providing high autonomy support to the stroke survivor. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The Family Care Climate Questionnaire (FCCQ) for stroke survivors is 14-item questionnaire asking about experiences with family members in relation to rehabilitation activities. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not true at all) to 7 (very true). Item scores are averaged to provide an overall score between 1 and 7 where higher scores indicate the stroke survivor perceives receiving high autonomy support from the carepartner. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Family conflict was assessed among carepartners with the FCCS. The FCCS is a unidimensional, Likert scale composed of 15 items. For each item, participants indicate their agreement with the item as 1 = not true at all, to 7 = very true. Item scores are summed and total scores range from 15 to 105, where higher scores represent higher levels of conflict within a family. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Stroke survivor upper extremity self efficacy was assessed with the Confidence in Hand and Movement (CAHM) scale. The CAHM is 20-item instrument where items are scored on a scale of 0 (very uncertain) to 100 (very certain) and averaged to provide a total scale score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater confidence with performing daily tasks with the impacted arm. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The 12-item General Family Functioning scale from the McMaster Family Assessment Device measures general family functioning. Items are scored on a 4-point scale where 1 = healthy functioning and 4 = unhealthy functioning. A total score is obtained by summing the scores and calculating the average. Higher scores indicate ineffective family functioning. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The CSI is a 13-question tool that measures strain related to care provision. Questions are responded to as either "Yes" or "No" and the total score is determined by summing the "Yes" responses. Total scores range from 0 to 13 and scores of 7 or more indicate high levels of stress. Unadjusted means are presented here.

The BCOS is a unidimensional scale based on 15 items and addresses changes in caregiving social functioning, subjective well-being and physical health. Carepartners respond to statements on a 7-point Likert scale where 1 = changed for the worst, and 7 = changed for the best. Total scores range from 15 - 105 with higher scores representing more positive caregiving outcomes since the stroke. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Upper extremity impairment was assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The FMA evaluates and measures recovery in post-stroke hemiplegic patients with 5 domains: motor score (which is further separated for upper and lower extremity), sensation, balance, joint range of motion, and joint pain. Items are scored on a 3-point ordinal scale where 0 = cannot perform and 3 = performs fully. The total score for the upper extremity motor domain ranges from 0 to 66 and a higher score indicates greater arm function. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Stroke survivor quality of life and social participation was assessed by the Neuro-QoL Short Form v1.1 - Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities. This is an 8- item, Likert-type scale about satisfaction in the last 7 days. Neuro-QoL scores are presented as T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Scores below 50 indicate below average satisfaction with social roles and activities. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Depressive symptoms among caregivers was assessed with the 6-item PROMIS Depression - Short Form 6a instrument. Responses are given on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 = never and 5 = always. Total scores range from 6 to 30 where higher scores indicate greater feelings of depression. Unadjusted means are presented here.

Fine motor skills and activities of daily living (ADL) related to upper extremity function was assessed by Neuro-QOL SF v1.0 - Upper Extremity Function (Fine Motor, ADL). This is an 8-item, Likert-type scale assessing the respondent's ability to perform various manual activities of daily life. Responses are given on a 5-point scale where 1 = not at all and 5 = very much. The Neuro-QoL scores are standardized as T-scores with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10. Scores below 50 indicate below average upper extremity function. Unadjusted means are presented here.