Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, underscoring the importance of effective self-management programs to improve the quality of life for survivors. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the impact of the ComVida (Bridges-PT) self-management program on self-efficacy, physical function, health-related quality of life, and emotional state of stroke survivors in Portugal. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 28 participants from hospital and community settings. The ComVida program, combining personalized rehabilitation sessions and the use of a self-management workbook was implemented. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks using the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS-16), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Short Form Questionnaire-12 (SF-12v2). RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in self-efficacy, physical function, emotional state, and health-related quality of life over the study period. The SSEQ scores increased from 23.3 at baseline to 33.3 at 12 weeks, while SIS-16 scores improved from 47.5 to 67.2. Anxiety and depression levels, measured by HADS, also showed significant reductions, as did health-related quality of life, evaluated by the SF-12v2. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the program may enhance self-efficacy, physical function, and emotional well-being in stroke survivors, highlighting its potential as a valuable component of post-stroke care in Portugal.