Motor function in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke during the first year

• Background: Few studies have investigated motor function in the upper extremity in both ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Different recovery patterns in upper extremity motor function have clinically been described, but there is a lack of research. Purpose: To investigate differences in recovery of upper extremity motor function after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke during the first year after a stroke. Methods: From the Stroke Arm Longitudinal Study at the Gothenburg University study, 45 people fulfilled eight assessment occasions during twelve months after a first ever stroke. People who had first ever stroke and reduced upper extremity function at day three post stroke were included in the study. Upper extremity motor function was investigated with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) at day 3, day 10, at 3, 4 and 6 weeks and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Descriptive statistics was used to present data, to compare differences between ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, subgroup analyses were performed at every occasion using the Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: Of 45 people, 33 had ischemic stroke, and twelve had hemorrhagic stroke. There was a crossover in mean level of upper extremity motor function, with lower level of function in people with hemorrhagic stroke compared to ischemic stroke from day three to one month. In one month to one year, the mean level of upper extremity function was higher for people with hemorrhagic stroke. No statistically significant differences in upper extremity motor function between the two groups were seen at any of the eight assessments during the first year after stroke. Conclusion(s): No significant differences were seen in upper extremity motor function between hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. On average those with hemorrhagic stroke seemed to have lower level of upper extremity motor function from day three to one month post stroke, but thereafter have a higher level compared to ischemic stroke. Implications: Based on this study, the implication could be that the rehabilitation of upper extremity motor function during the first year after a stroke, should not be changed due to if the patient have ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, but should be individual based.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Sjukgymnastik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Physiotherapy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

upper extremity

recovery of function

longitudinal studies

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)