What Do Stroke Survivors’ Caregivers Know About Sarcopenia?

護理系及高齡暨長期照護研究中心 郭玟佑副教授

When caring for a loved one after a stroke, most families think about rehabilitation, daily living support, and preventing another stroke. Yet another important issue often goes unnoticed: sarcopenia, or muscle loss. This condition weakens the body, reduces independence, and makes recovery more difficult for stroke survivors（Su & Chen, 2021）.

To better understand this issue, our research team conducted in-depth interviews with 30 caregivers at a medical center in Taiwan from August 2024 to February 2025. Most participants were women in their early fifties, many of them married and with a high school education background. We asked them what they knew about sarcopenia, how they understood it, and how this shaped the way they cared for their loved ones.

The findings revealed limited awareness. Caregivers’ knowledge of sarcopenia varied widely, but overall, it was incomplete. Some caregivers had noticed muscle weakness or loss in stroke survivors and associated it with sarcopenia. However, their understanding of the condition was often unclear or fragmented, and very few could explain it in medical terms.

This knowledge gap directly influenced their caregiving practices. Many caregivers tried to respond in ways they believed might help, such as assisting with passive exercises, encouraging daily movement, or offering protein-rich foods. These efforts reflected their concern and dedication, but they were guided more by personal beliefs and assumptions than by professional knowledge.

In short, the study shows that caregivers’ understanding of sarcopenia is often limited and inconsistent. Their caregiving practices are shaped by what they think sarcopenia means, rather than by clear and reliable information. This finding highlights the close link between what caregivers know and the everyday care they provide to stroke survivors.

Reference
Su, I. J., Li, Y., & Chen, L. (2021). The association between sarcopenia and the physical function of patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy, 3(1).
https://doi.org/10.29245/2767-5122/2021/1.1123