Returning to work after stroke: associations with cognitive performance, motivation, perceived working ability and barriers

Objective: To investigate post-stroke return-towork and its associations with cognitive performance, motivation, perceived working ability, and self-perceived barriers to returning to work. Design: Prospective cohort study of a clinical sample. Subjects and methods: Participants were 77 stroke patients younger than age 69 years. Assessment included a cognitive screening method for stroke patients (CoMet), a ques tionnaire regarding workrelated matters, and a question regarding motivation to return to work. A predictive model of return-towork was built, and how participants managed in their working life was examined. Results: Cognitive performance was significantly connected with returning to work. Three of the 5 individuals who dropped out of working life had cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive performance predicted 80% of those who had not returned and 37% of those who had returned by 6 months after the initial assessment. Self-perceived working ability and barriers predicted 64% of those who had not returned and 78% of those who had returned at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: Cognitive performance seems to be a crucial predictor of return-to-work post-stroke, but individuals' own evaluations of their working capabilities are also important.