Relational and sexual functioning after CVA. A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE

Every year about 30,000 people in the Netherlands experience a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA) or stroke. Of these, 12,500 die during the first year. Most
patients who have had a stroke experience (depending on the location of the
damage) loss of function due to paralysis, speech problems, cognitive problems,
and changes in personality, mood and emotional stability (Höing 2005)
A CVA can thus have a major impact on quality of life, also on the
relationship, intimacy and sexuality. Although stroke can lead to big changes
in relationionships and sexuality, experience shows that patients do not make
their intimate relationship subject of their rehabilitation goals easily.
Research on the effects of a stroke on the intimate relationship and sexual
functioning is scarce. Little is known about the nature, magnitude and
determinants of these problems of stroke patients and their partners. The
research on sexual and relational problems after a stroke in rehabilitation
focuses mainly on (observational) intervention studies (Song et al. 2011) or
(cross-section) studies without longitudinal follow-up (Schmitz 2010, Thompson
2009 Tamam 2008 Giaquinto 2003 ) Therefore little is known about the course of
problems in intimate relationships and sexual functioning and health care needs
in this area during and after rehabilitation. However, the scarce research
shows that relational and sexual problems often manifest themselves in the
chronic phase than in the acute phase (Forsberg-Wärleby, Taman, Korpelainen,
Aloni & Katz).
Because stroke patients and their partners make a significant part of the group
of patients Sophia Rehabilitation serves, it is important to look beyond the
rehabilitation period and get insight into their relational and sexual
function, as well as understanding the need for assistance.

Primary Objective:
This study aims to determine the following:
* What is the nature and extent of the relational and sexual functioning by
revalidated (??) stroke patients and their partners.

Secondary Objectives:
In addition, the researchers are trying to get answers to the following
questions:
* What factors are associated with relational and sexual problems in
re-validated stroke patients and their partners.
* In what extent is there a need for care on relational and sexual problems in
re-validated stroke patients and their partners.

STUDY DESIGN

The study consists of a cross-sectional, monocentre questionnaire survey among
all adult patients associated with stroke and their partners who were inpatient
or outpatient at Sophia Revalidatie and were referred to a sexologist (> 1
consult) between 01-01-2010 and 01-01-2014. These patients and their partners
will be asked to complete a questionnaire once.

Een risico kan zijn dat men door de vragenlijsten gevoelens van verdriet of
gemis ervaart, doordat de vragen daarmee confronteren.

Het is van belang voor verbetering van hulpaanbod om meer zicht te krijgen op
de mate waarin mensen met CVA gevolgen ervaren in de relatie en de
seksualiteit. Dit belang overstijgt het individueel belang om niet
geconfronteerd te worden met gevoelens van verdriet of gemis. Bovendien is de
verwachting gerechtvaardigd dat mensen die hier niet mee geconfronteerd willen
worden, ook niet aan het onderzoek zullen deelnemen.



A risk may be that one experiences feelings of sadness or loss, while
confronted with these feelings through the questionnaire.

It is important to improve our service, by getting more insight into the
extent to which people with stroke experience consequences in their
relationship and sexuality. This interest transcends the individual interest,
being confronted with feelings of sadness or loss. Moreover, the expectation is
justified that people who not want to be confronted also will not participate
in the study.