Abstract:
Mood and anxiety symptoms are frequent after stroke and negatively impact recovery. We assessed the
feasibility and early patient-reported outcomes of an integrated, brief psychological intervention delivered
during acute/subacute stroke care at the IMSP Institute of Emergency Medicine. In a prospective servicedevelopment
cohort (April–August 2025), consecutive adults admitted with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
received up to six structured sessions focused on psychoeducation, coping skills, problem-solving, and support.
Standardized measures were collected at baseline and after the intervention: EQ-5D profile and VAS,
CANSAS, GAD-7, HAM-A, HAM-D, an PHQ-9, MMSE was recorded at entry where appropriate.
Demographic and clinical characteristics (age, sex, education, social status, stroke subtype, comorbidities, and
vitals) were extracted routinely. One hundred twenty-one patients were enrolled, most in the sixth and seventh
decades of life; hypertension and cardiometabolic comorbidities were common. Follow-up data available after
the intervention indicated consistent, clinically meaningful improvements across patient-reported outcomes:
higher EQ-5D VAS scores and more favorable EQ-5D profiles, with reductions in anxiety and depressive
symptom severity on GAD-7, HAM-A, HAM-D, and PHQ-9. Reported unmet needs on CANSAS decreased
in domains related to information, psychological distress, and daily activities. No intervention-related adverse
events were documented. These findings suggest that brief, structured psychological care is feasible in an
emergency hospital setting and may enhance early recovery and well-being after stroke.
