In this US real-world survey of 221 patients and 62 caregivers, nearly all respondents reported poststroke spasticity symptoms, with considerable quality-of-life impact driven largely by fatigue and limitations in daily activities, and with significant differences between patient and caregiver perceptions.
Almost all survey respondents reported poststroke spasticity (PSS) symptoms after their most recent stroke, and most reported multiple symptoms.
Only about half of patients reporting PSS symptoms were aware of drug treatments, but most of those aware had received at least one.
Most treated patients reported involvement in the initial choice of drug treatment.
Over half of respondents reported difficulty with daily activities, and caregivers reported more difficulty with bathing than patients did.
Fatigue was reported by most patients.
Overall stroke-specific quality-of-life scores indicated considerable impact, with lower scores in the caregiver-reported group than the patient group.
Subgroup analyses revealed significant differences between patient and caregiver perceptions of PSS symptoms and their impact.
The authors conclude that greater awareness of PSS among healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers is needed to promote timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.
This US survey asked people who had recently had a stroke causing weakness on one side of the body (or their caregivers) about spasticity, a condition of muscle stiffness and tightness that can follow a stroke. Of 221 patients and 62 caregivers, almost all reported spasticity symptoms, and most had three or more. Fatigue was very common (84% of patients), and more than half had trouble with daily activities. Caregivers were more likely than patients to say bathing without help was difficult (84% vs 58%). Only about half of those with symptoms knew that drug treatments existed. Among those who knew, nearly all had received at least one, and about two-thirds said they had a say in choosing the first drug. Quality-of-life scores were lower when caregivers answered on behalf of patients than when patients answered themselves, suggesting patients and caregivers may see the impact differently. This research suggests spasticity after stroke may substantially affect daily life and wellbeing, and that awareness of the condition and its treatments is limited. Because the survey was cross-sectional and based on self-reported symptoms, it describes experiences rather than proving causes. The authors argue for more awareness among clinicians, patients, and caregivers, and for coordinated, multidisciplinary care that also supports caregivers.
Verduzco-Gutierrez M, Pain E, Bouchard J, Mann A. (2026). Understanding stroke and spasticity: patient and caregiver experiences and quality-of-life impact.. Frontiers in neurology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1849865