Relation between depression after stroke, antidepressant therapy, and functional recovery

The aim was to evaluate the effects of poststroke depression and antidepres sant therapy on the improvement of motor scores and disability, to verify i f the negative effects of poststroke depression on functional recovery coul d be counterbalanced by taking antidepressant drugs. Results obtained befor e, during, and after rehabilitation-on the Barthel index, Canadian neurolog ical scale, and Rivermead mobility index-by 49 depressed patients with stro ke, who had been treated (n=25) or not treated (n=24) according to the diff erent therapeutic approaches of their physicians, were compared with result s similarly obtained by 15 non-depressed patients with stroke. Analysis was by multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures There was a non-significant difference between the groups in their motor an d functional scores, and a significant improvement on time. A significant i nteraction between group and time was seen. This interaction was particular ly significant on the Rivermead mobility index, and was due to the fact tha t the recovery of non-treated depressed patients with stroke was less than the non-depressed and the depressed but treated patients with stroke. Furth ermore, recovery from depression was significantly greater in treated than in non-treated depressed patients with stroke. In conclusion, poststroke depression has negative effects on functional rec overy, and a pharmacological treatment of depression can counterbalance thi s effect.