news
Sexuality ‘silenced’
after stroke
Training and increased awareness key to
helping survivors adjust to life after stroke.
A
ustralian researchers are reminding clinicians to talk with
stroke survivors about sexuality.
They argue that sexuality remains important to
survivors, but they and their partners often don’t have access to
adequate support to deal with changes to their relationships, self-
identity, gender roles and intimacy.
Lead author Dr Margaret McGrath, an occupational therapy
researcher from the University of Sydney, said their review shows
that sexuality is essentially silenced following stroke.
“Issues around post-stroke sexuality and where to seek support
are rarely discussed with stroke survivors or their loved ones
despite numerous interactions with medical, rehabilitation and
counselling staff,” said McGrath.
“Sexuality and disability is viewed as a taboo topic so stroke
survivors don’t know how to talk about it and health professionals
don’t ask the questions.”
The study said this lack of dialogue could lead to an increased
incidence of anxiety and depression and poorer quality of life
outcomes.
The researchers pooled data from studies involving more than
650 male and female stroke survivors and their partners.
McGrath said men often struggled with an inability to be what
they viewed as a “protector” or “provider” for the family, while
female stroke survivors lamented a loss of their role as wife,
mother or homemaker.
“This also impacts partners’ self-identity, particularly when they
moved from being an intimate partner to a primary caregiver,”
she added.
Stroke also had an impact on those who were not in a
relationship or whose relationship ended, as they felt less
confident and willing to seek out new relationships.
One stroke survivor said: “Why should a lady want to go out
with me if you can go out with someone who does not have a
disability?”
McGrath said: “Stroke also impacted the survivor’s relationship
with their own body, with many seeing their body as unpredictable
or separate from themselves.
“Being sexually intimate exacerbates these feelings, leading to
heightened levels of anxiety.”
She added that these fears and concerns could be addressed
through support from health and rehabilitation professionals. ■
Fruitful research
Photo: UOW
A new study is looking at
the potential positive brain
health impacts of some
summer fruits for people
with cognitive impairment.
C
ould fruits like cherries, berries
and plums slow the impacts of
cognitive decline?
That’s what University of Wollongong
(UOW) researchers are hoping to find out.
Their study is based on findings that
suggest summer fruits like some berries
and stone fruits contain compounds that
are good for the brain.
At the root of their positive effects,
research believe, are anthocyanins – the
compounds that provide the purple, red
and blue pigments in fruits, and are also
found in red wine and some vegetables like
red cabbage and eggplant.
The UOW study will explore whether
consumption of anthocyanin-rich fruit
juice will result in better outcomes after
completion of a six-week memory training
program compared to taking just the
memory training.
Research lead Associate Professor Karen
Charlton said it will focus on people with
mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
“Memory training programs can
prevent MCI worsening as well as develop
skills to recall information, and there is
some evidence that diet can help too,”
Charlton said.
“It is exciting to be at the forefront of
research that may help prevent further
memory decline in people with early
signs, especially if it’s as easy as including
delicious fruits on the daily menu.”
The research team will work with
a range of fruits, including the queen
garnet plum, which has more than double
the levels of anthocyanins found in
other plums. ■
agedcareinsite.com.au
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