Understanding the impact of unmet needs on the health and wellbeing of people with stroke, living in the community: a scoping review of reviews
10 affiliations
- 1IIMPACT, Adelaide University
- 2Rural Health School, La Trobe University
- 3Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research
- 4Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University
- 5Stroke Theme, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne
- 6Department of Public Heath, School of Psychology and Public Health, and Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University
- 7Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University
- 8Occupational Therapy, School Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University
- 9Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport and Care Economy Research Institute (CERI), La Trobe University
- 10Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, The Florey, The University of Melbourne
Abstract
Background: Recovery from stroke may often be incomplete, with unresolved issues persisting as unmet needs. However, the impact of these needs on both the health and wellbeing of people with stroke, subgroups, and their carers remains unclear.
Objectives: This scoping review of reviews aimed to provide an overview of evidence on unmet needs and their impact on the wellbeing of people living in the community with stroke.
Methods: Relevant databases (14) were searched from 2,000 onwards and included systematic, scoping, and umbrella reviews meeting criteria related to population, concept, and context, and reporting quantitative and/or qualitative data.
Results: Over 620 studies (including repeated studies across reviews) and 3.5 million participants were described in 28 eligible reviews. The needs and impacts were wide-ranging for the population as a whole and for sub-groups, e.g., with specific impairments (communication issues) or demographics (younger people who may have had a stroke or people who are culturally and linguistically diverse). No one framework covers the diversity of impacts on health and wellbeing—physical, emotional, and psychological health, as well as issues of relationships, inclusion, engagement, meaning, cultural and spiritual needs, financial, and other environmental domains.
Conclusion: Our findings provide important, often ignored insights and direction for people with stroke generally, as well as sub-groups. Ultimately, services and research should operate at multiple levels and address quality-of-life impacts, including social integration, sense of self, and life purpose.
Systematic review registration: Review protocol registration: https://osf.io/efut8/ .
Related
- Understanding the impact of climate change on mental health from a Canadian perspective: a scoping review
- Effectiveness of green health prescribing and nature-based interventions in primary care and community settings for older adults: a systematic review of health, wellbeing and social outcomes
- Understanding people's experiences of practising Tai Chi for health and wellbeing: a protocol for a qualitative systematic review.
- Repurposing landscape of N-acetylcysteine: A scoping review of reviews toward clinical translation
- Understanding wellbeing together with children from migrant backgrounds living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods- A participatory photovoice study
BibTeX
@article{hillier2026understanding,
title = {{Understanding the impact of unmet needs on the health and wellbeing of people with stroke, living in the community: a scoping review of reviews}},
author = {Susan Hillier and Carol McKinstry and Dominique A. Cadilhac and Hanan Khalil and Anna Joy and Leeanne M. Carey},
journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1861343},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1861343/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Understanding the impact of unmet needs on the health and wellbeing of people with stroke, living in the community: a scoping review of reviews
AU - Susan Hillier
AU - Carol McKinstry
AU - Dominique A. Cadilhac
AU - Hanan Khalil
AU - Anna Joy
AU - Leeanne M. Carey
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in Neurology
DO - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1861343
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1861343/full
AB - Background: Recovery from stroke may often be incomplete, with unresolved issues persisting as unmet needs. However, the impact of these needs on both the health and wellbeing of people with stroke, subgroups, and their carers remains unclear. Objectives: This scoping review of reviews aimed to provide an overview of evidence on unmet needs and their impact on the wellbeing of people living in the community with stroke. Methods: Relevant databases (14) were searched from 2,000 onwards and included systematic, scoping, and umbrella reviews meeting criteria related to population, concept, and context, and reporting quantitative and/or qualitative data. Results: Over 620 studies (including repeated studies across reviews) and 3.5 million participants were described in 28 eligible reviews. The needs and impacts were wide-ranging for the population as a whole and for sub-groups, e.g., with specific impairments (communication issues) or demographics (younger people who may have had a stroke or people who are culturally and linguistically diverse). No one framework covers the diversity of impacts on health and wellbeing—physical, emotional, and psychological health, as well as issues of relationships, inclusion, engagement, meaning, cultural and spiritual needs, financial, and other environmental domains. Conclusion: Our findings provide important, often ignored insights and direction for people with stroke generally, as well as sub-groups. Ultimately, services and research should operate at multiple levels and address quality-of-life impacts, including social integration, sense of self, and life purpose. Systematic review registration: Review protocol registration: https://osf.io/efut8/ .
SN - 1664-2295
ER -