# What About the Differences in Body Representation and Body Image Between Stroke Patients and Healthy Controls? Psychological and Clinical Implications

## TL;DR

This study compares body representation and body image in stroke patients and healthy individuals, highlighting psychological differences and their clinical implications.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the psychological differences in body representation between stroke patients and healthy controls.

## Key findings

- Healthy controls showed higher compulsive self-monitoring compared to stroke patients.
- Stroke patients exhibited greater depersonalization and psychological distress.
- The findings suggest the need for tailored clinical interventions to improve well-being in both groups.

## Abstract

The integrity of body representation can be profoundly compromised in neurological patients. This study aims to evaluate body representation in both healthy individuals and stroke patients.

The study included 40 chronic stroke patients recruited from the Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino‐Pulejo,” and 40 healthy controls from the University of Messina. Both groups were age‐ and gender‐matched. All participants completed the Body Uneasiness Test to assess body image discomfort and body schema accuracy.

A total of 80 participants were enrolled, divided equally into two groups matched by gender: stroke patients and healthy controls. Healthy controls showed higher scores in compulsive self‐monitoring (p = 0.023), while stroke patients exhibited greater depersonalization (p = 0.039) and significantly higher psychological distress (p ≤ 0.001).

These findings underscore the complexity of bodily and psychological experiences in both health and disease, emphasizing the need for tailored clinical interventions. While the direct impact on quality of life may vary, addressing these issues can contribute to improved overall well‐being for both groups.