Expressive Arts-based Intervention for Young and Pre-elderly Stroke Survivors

Stroke is a devastating illness that induces numerous impairments of body function and structure, and limitations to activities in all aspects of life, thus imposing multi‐faceted restrictions on one's participation in daily living. It also has detrimental impacts on one's mental health, social relationship, and quality of life. Stroke survivors often face challenges arising from the illness and its disabilities, as well as the resulting deterioration of occupational functioning. They also suffer from the psycho‐spiritual sequels of loss in functioning, sense of worthlessness and hopelessness, and fear of relapse, all of which could result in mental health distress such as depression, anxiety, stress, isolation, and impaired quality of life. Though the risk of stroke increases with age, statistics have documented an increasing trend of a younger age of onset. The issues faced by younger and pre‐elderly stroke survivors (<65 years old) will be even more severe due to longer term of survival, problems of resuming their occupations, and lacking of social welfare and resources for their pre‐elderly age. Existing research focuses primarily on older adults stroke survivors; this study is set out to contribute to current knowledge of the effectiveness of arts‐based rehabilitation on younger stroke survivors. Both psychological and physiological outcomes will be examined for a comprehensive understanding on the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual changes after participating in a non‐pharmacological, engaging, safe and enjoyable multi‐modal expressive arts‐based intervention approach of rehabilitation. Examination on the relationships among bio‐psycho‐social‐spiritual variables may help understand the complex relationships among these factors after stroke and during rehabilitation, which will contribute to the development of holistic care for stroke survivors. This current study will adopt a 2‐arm randomized controlled design with treatment‐as‐usual control. Upon screening for inclusion exclusion criteria, baseline data will be collected; and eligible participants will be randomized into either an 8‐week Expressive Arts‐based intervention group or Treatment‐As‐Usual control group. The control group will continue with routine rehabilitation service and have the option to participate in the Expressive Arts‐based Intervention Group upon study completion. Participants will be assessed 3 times at baseline (T0), post‐intervention (8th week, T1), and 6‐month post‐intervention (T2). The participants will complete the study in about 8 months.