DETERMINATION OF RATE OF PROGRESS OF STROKE PATIENTS THROUGH EMPATHY MEASURES OF PATIENT AND FAMILY

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that rate of progress in rehabilitation was associated with empathy between patient and family member. Subjects were in treatment following a stroke and included 20 patients and members of their family. Estimates of empathy were obtained by having each subject and a family member describe themselves and how they thought the other participant member of the family would describe himself or herself. Measures of progress in rehabilitation were obtained from admissions and discharge ratings by occupational and physical therapists. These ratings were compared with the total treatment time to provide an index of the actual rate of progress shown by the patient in treatment. Correlational results showed that improved rates of progress were associated with higher ability of the subjects' in predicting the attitudes of others. © 1968.