Open AccessHappiness: A Novel Outcome Measure in Stroke?
Author(s) -
Tissa Wijeratne,
Carmela Sales,
Chanith Wijeratne,
Mihajlo Jakovljević
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
therapeutics and clinical risk management
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1178-203X
pISSN - 1176-6336
DOI - 10.2147/tcrm.s307587
Subject(s) - happiness , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , barthel index , stroke (engine) , rehabilitation , outcome (game theory) , physical therapy , perception , construct (python library) , modified rankin scale , clinical psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gerontology , psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , nursing , ischemic stroke , mechanical engineering , mathematics , mathematical economics , computer science , engineering , ischemia , neuroscience , programming language
In this narrated review, we draw attention to the use of happiness as a novel outcome measure in clinical research studies regarding patients with stroke. Commonly used outcome measures in clinical trials in stroke rehabilitation include the modified Rankin Score (mRS), Functional Impairment Measures (FIM), Barthel Index and quality of life (QoL). Despite being a part of QoL, happiness is arguably a significant construct on its own. While QoL assesses perceptions of various extrinsic aspects of life, happiness may be used as a measure of subjective enjoyment of life after an illness. We review the literature discussing the use of happiness as a formal outcome measure in stroke care and subacute and long-term stroke rehabilitation. Ultimately we recommend the wider use of happiness as an outcome measure where appropriate in these settings.