Self-management may help people after stroke live better and feel more able.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   1,863 adults who had a stroke and lived at home or in independent housing, in 14 trials from several countries. Quality of life came from six trials with 469 people, and belief in themselves from six trials with 403 people.

2. 02

   What they did

   The programmes taught skills such as solving problems, setting goals and tracking progress. Health staff or trained peers ran them, one-to-one or in groups. Most were compared with usual care, and some with other help, such as education alone.

3. 03

   What happened

   Programmes improved quality of life more than other groups did, with moderate evidence. They also helped belief in themselves, with weaker evidence. Daily life, mood and sense of control showed no clear difference.

What the review found

1. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across six studies, self-management raised quality of life more than the rest.

   Pooled analysis of 6 studies with 469 people · vs usual care or other help · they rated themselves · the authors rated their certainty moderate · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. HelpedMotivation

   Across six studies, self-management helped belief in themselves more than the rest.

   Pooled analysis of 6 studies with 403 people · vs usual care or other help · they rated themselves · the authors rated their certainty low · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source