Purpose. Limitations in participation may have independent influences on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at early and late phases of stroke recovery.

Methods. Consecutive stroke patients were interviewed at months 3 and 12 after stroke for modified Barthel Index (MBI), geriatric depression scale (GDS) and WHO QOL questionnaire (abbreviated Hong Kong version). London handicap scale (LHS) was used to measure limitations in participation. The influence of the six LHS domains on the four HRQOL domains, adjusted for MBI and GDS was analysed by structural equation modelling with a two-component analysis.

Results. Complete data were collected in 500 and 433 subjects at months 3 and 12, respectively. On multivariate analysis, after adjustment for MBI and GDS, the independence and social integration domains of LHS had significant influence on physical and social HRQOL, respectively, at both 3 and 12 months post-stroke. The occupation domain was a significant factor of physical and environmental HRQOL at month 12, but not at month 3. Economic sufficiency had more influence on HRQOL at month 3 than at month 12. The mobility and orientation domains had no significant negative influence on HRQOL.

Conclusions. In stroke patients, participation had significant independent influences on HRQOL.