About the Second Chances study

The Second Chances study is an observational research study designed to quantify and characterize the burden of surviving a stroke on patients and their caregivers using novel questionnaires and self-assessments developed by researchers at Northwestern University for the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The study assessed the impact of stroke on 184 patients and 10 caregivers (with the relatively low number of caregivers reflecting the recruitment challenges of observational research in this patient population).

Preliminary results of the study, presented by researchers from Northwestern University and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at the Second Chances study results event on April 29th, found patients who have survived a stroke report surprisingly high overall life satisfaction. Among people who care for stroke survivors, the results were less positive, with caregivers generally reporting more symptoms of depression than their patients.

Seventy-three percent of the stroke survivors included in the Second Chances study reported themselves "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the overall quality of their lives. Specifically, 87 percent of the stroke survivors were "very satisfied" with their ability to complete activities of daily living, 69 percent were "very satisfied" with their family life and 72 percent were "very satisfied" with their relationship with their partners.

Among caregivers interviewed for the Second Chances study, 30 percent reported symptoms of depression ranging from low energy levels and poor sleeping habits to feelings of emotional and social isolation, highlighting the fact serving as the primary caregiver to a stroke survivor can be a full-time job. The impact on the health and well-being of the caregiver cannot be overstated.

The Second Chances study also revealed marked differences in the way men and women perceived the burden of life after stroke. Whereas men experienced stroke survivorship primarily as a physically limiting condition, the impact on women was more profound, affecting the way they felt about themselves, the quality of their relationships, and most significantly, their work situation. In the Second Chances study, only 29 percent of women who survived a stroke expressed satisfaction with their career/job situation, compared to 65 percent of men.

Full results of the study are expected to be published in late 2008.