Title : Understanding the impact of self-efficacy on goal attainment in self-management physical training after stroke
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Stroke incidence continues to rise, largely due to an aging population. Increasing pressure on healthcare services—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has led to greater emphasis on self-management approaches in stroke rehabilitation. Self-efficacy is considered a key factor in successful rehabilitation outcomes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-efficacy and goal attainment in individuals with stroke participating in a self-management–based physical training programme.
Methods: Nineteen stroke survivors (7 females, 12 males) participated in the study, with a mean age of 67.7 ± 15.2 years (range: 36–87 years). Participants were allocated to either a control group, which received standard NHS post-stroke care, or an intervention group, which received a self-management programme in addition to standard care. Self-efficacy was assessed using the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), alongside the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), at baseline and at three months. Goal attainment was measured at three months using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). Correlations between self-efficacy and goal attainment were analysed separately for each group.
Results: A significant positive correlation was identified between SSEQ and GAS scores in the control group. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between self-efficacy and goal attainment in the intervention group.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that self-efficacy may positively influence goal attainment during post-stroke rehabilitation. However, the inconsistent findings between groups indicate that the relationship may be complex. Further research with larger, more representative samples is required to clarify this association and to strengthen the evidence base for self-management interventions in stroke rehabilitation.
