Body structure/function impairments and activity limitations of post-stroke that predict social participation: a systematic review.

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in Brazil, and its prognostic indicators of social reintegration are not well established yet.

Objective: To identify body structure/function impairments and activity limitations in post-stroke that predict social participation restrictions in the community.

Methods: cohort studies were selected, involving adult post-stroke participants, which investigated body structure and function impairments or activity limitations of post-stroke individuals as predictors of social participation in the community. Studies that included individuals with subarachnoid hemorrhage, other neurological disorders and participants in long-term care facilities were excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale was applied to assess the methodological quality. The results were synthesized according to the found exposures, considering the used statistical models.

Results: Eleven articles were included, with a total of 2,412 individuals, 58.4% men, 83.7% ischemic stroke. Seven exposures were assessed across studies, in which 10 studies assessed body structure and function exposures (stroke severity, cognitive, executive, emotional and motor function), and 8 studies assessed activity exposures (daily living activity and walking ability).

Conclusion: There is some evidence that stroke severity, mental and motor deficits, limitations in activities of daily living and the ability to walk after a stroke can predict social participation in the community. PROSPERO registration CRD42020177591.