Recovery in personal care related to cognitive impairment before and after stroke - a one-year follow-up

• Abstract Objective: To examine whether there were any differences in the recovery in performance of personal activities of daily living (P-ADL) in elderly persons in relation to cognitive impairments pre- and poststroke from discharge to 6 and 12 months in elderly persons. Methods: Forty-five elderly persons after stroke were assessed at discharge from hospital and at 6 and at 12 months after stroke onset. A questionnaire posed to the next of kin was used to evaluate the person´s pre- and poststroke cognitive status. P-ADL was assessed with the Barthel Index. The Mini Mental State Examination and neuropsychological tests were used to measure cognitive functions after stroke. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was used to measure neurological deficits. Results: Persons with cognitive impairments before and after stroke did not improve in P-ADL from the acute phase until 6 and 12 months, while persons with intact cognition pre- and post stroke did. Conclusion: Since cognitive problems pre- and poststroke hinder recovery in P-ADL, it is important to understand the connection between cognitive impairment and activity limitations when planning the optimal rehabilitation, which could include special compensation strategies, learnt by the patients, cognitive assistive devices and/or appropriate personal support trained in meaningful activities in daily life in their natural environment.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

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

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

Nyckelord

ADL

cognitive dysfunction

elderly

longitudinal

prestroke

stroke

personal activities of daily living

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)