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Non-motor outcomes are highly prevalent after stroke, with no significant differences between hospital and population settings except for bowel dysfunction.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 357 prospective cohort studies (247,541 participants) found that adverse non-motor outcomes such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance are common after stroke. Pooled prevalence did not differ significantly between hospital-based and population-based studies, except for bowel dysfunction, which was higher in population-based studies (61% vs 47%). Use of non-validated outcome measures was associated with higher reported prevalence for several outcomes.

Last updated: Jul 29, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score47/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Non-motor Outcomes After Stroke: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

observational

Ozkan H, Esmail T, Ambler G, Drummond A, Leff AP, Simister R, Werring D · International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 30 days to 10 years (median follow-up 6 months)
Intervention: Observational study; no intervention tested.
Outcome: Prevalence of 11 non-motor outcomes: anxiety, depression, apathy, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social participation, pain, bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction.
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Stroke survivors from 357 prospective cohort studies (mean age 64 years; 247 male-predominant studies; 55% ischemic stroke, 42% mixed, 3% intracerebral hemorrhage).

Result:

PubMed: 42504592DOI: 10.1177/17474930261475966

Mechanism Graph

Stroke leads to brain damage affecting non-motor pathways
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Non-motor symptoms emerge post-stroke
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Prevalence varies by measurement method and follow-up duration
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Result: High prevalence of non-motor outcomes across settings

Limitations

  • ⚠Substantial methodological heterogeneity across studies (I2 41%-99%)
  • ⚠Limited evidence on non-motor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (only 3% of studies)
  • ⚠Frequent use of non-validated outcome measures (44.3% of studies)
  • ⚠Few studies assessed outcomes beyond 2 years post-stroke (12%)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common non-motor outcomes after stroke?▼

The study examined 11 outcomes including anxiety, depression, apathy, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social participation, pain, bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction; all were highly prevalent.

Does the prevalence of non-motor outcomes differ between hospital and population settings?▼

No significant differences were found for most outcomes, except bowel dysfunction was more common in population-based studies (61% vs 47%).

How does the use of non-validated outcome measures affect reported prevalence?▼

Studies using non-validated measures reported significantly higher prevalence for anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbance, and bowel dysfunction.

What factors are associated with higher prevalence of non-motor outcomes?▼

Older age (>60 years), stroke due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and use of non-validated outcome measures were significantly associated with higher prevalence across multiple domains.

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References

  1. 1.Ozkan H, Esmail T, Ambler G, Drummond A, Leff AP, Simister R, Werring D. "Non-motor Outcomes After Stroke: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.." International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society, 2026. PMID: 42504592 DOI: 10.1177/17474930261475966
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.