Do psychological therapies help stroke survivors heal?

After someone has a stroke, their life can change in big ways—sometimes making them feel sad, worried, or even hopeless. In fact, about one in three people who survive a stroke experience depression or anxiety, according to a major scientific statement from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association (read more here). But can talking therapies, like those you might get from a counselor or therapist, actually make a difference for these patients?

A recent large study looked into this question by reviewing the healthcare records of thousands of stroke survivors in England. The researchers wanted to find out if psychological therapies, which are often offered in primary care (like your local doctor’s office), really help people with depression or anxiety after a stroke. Their findings, published in Nature Mental Health, suggest that these therapies can be very helpful for many stroke survivors.

Understanding depression and anxiety after stroke

Strokes happen when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, which can cause lasting problems with movement, speech, or memory. But strokes do not just affect the body. They can also impact how people feel emotionally. Scientists have found that depression after a stroke is linked with a slower recovery and even a higher chance of becoming sick again (see this analysis).

What are psychological therapies?

Psychological therapies, sometimes called “talking therapies,” include things like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or counseling. These methods help people understand their feelings, challenge negative thoughts, and learn ways to cope. The UK's national guidelines now recommend that stroke survivors with mood problems should be offered psychological therapy as the first step (review the guidance).

How well do these therapies work for stroke survivors?

Until recently, most studies looking at psychological therapy for stroke survivors were small or done in special research settings, not in everyday clinics. Now, a huge real-world analysis has changed this. By using national health records, researchers could see how well these therapies worked for thousands of people in England who had suffered a stroke and were feeling anxious or depressed (see the study).

The results were positive: many stroke survivors showed improvements in their mood and anxiety symptoms after going through psychological therapy. This means that getting help from a therapist or counselor can make a real difference in how stroke survivors feel and recover.

What does this mean for patients and families?

If you or someone you know has had a stroke and is struggling with depression or anxiety, it is important to know that help is available—and that psychological therapy really can work. In fact, a recent Cochrane review found that psychological therapy, along with other treatments, can help reduce depression after stroke (see the Cochrane review).

For families, it is helpful to encourage loved ones to talk to their doctor if they seem sad or worried after a stroke. Psychological therapy is safe, widely available, and can be personalized to meet each person’s needs. Plus, these therapies do not involve medication and can be used alongside other treatments.

How does health AI help protect patient privacy?

With all these new studies using big sets of medical data, you might wonder how patient privacy is protected. Health AI can help keep information safe by using smart technologies like encryption and anonymization. If you are curious about practical steps you can take, check out this SlothMD article on keeping your health data private with AI. For a deeper look at how technology protects your medical details, you might also enjoy this SlothMD guide on keeping your medical data safe and private.

Where do we go from here?

As more healthcare systems use digital records and health AI, researchers can learn even more about what helps stroke survivors feel better. The NHS Talking Therapies program in England is a good example of collecting data on how mental health services work for people in real life (see NHS Talking Therapies analysis).

The big takeaway? If you or someone you care about is recovering from a stroke, do not ignore feelings of sadness or worry. Psychological therapy, supported by strong research and new technology, can help people heal inside and out.