[The role of social support in the quality of life after stroke. A review of selected experimental research].

Surviving of a stroke may be considered as a major stressful life event. Neurological and functional deficits often lead to a loss of independence, social alienation, depression and deterioration of the quality of life. Earlier correlational studies have shown that social support may mediate responses to stroke and improve patients' quality of life. The aim of this article was to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the role of professional social support in the quality of life after stroke. The vast majority of the RCTs published in the last decade did not show any positive impact of support on the psychosocial consequences of a stroke. It does not mean, however, that professional support is necessarily ineffective. The reviewed RCTs may fail to detect benefits because of some methodological and theoretical limitations. There is a need of further research but more attention should be given to a power analysis, selection of an appropriate outcome measure and standardisation of a study procedure. It is also important to found research deliberately on existing social support theories.