Motor Recovery Status and Cognitive Level among Stroke Patients: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Shanta Pandian, R. K. Sharma, Amit DwivediAbstract
Background:
Motor recovery is a consistent, dynamic but variable process among poststroke patients. The motor status of hand and arm can have a more crucial impact on cognitive status due to the skilled and complex demands. Further, cognition is also needed for the lower limb functions such as locomotion and mobility. It is evident that cognitive deficits can influence the motor recovery directly or indirectly throughout the recovery process among poststroke patients.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to find the relation between the motor status and the cognitive level among poststroke patients.
Study Design:
This was a cross-sectional and observational design.
Methods:
Forty-three poststroke hemiparetic patients from the neuro-rehab unit of the Occupational Therapy Department, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, New Delhi, were recruited for the study. Brunnstrom Recovery Stage of Arm (BRS-A), Hand (BRS-H), and Lower Extremity (BRS-LE) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Arm (FMA-A), Wrist and Hand (FMA-WH), Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), and Lower Extremity were applied to record the motor status of hemiparetic patients. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was applied to determine the cognitive status.
Results:
The motor measures (BRS-A, BRS-H, and BRS-LE) were not found to be significantly related to cognitive measure (MoCA). However, the attention component of MoCA was found to be positively related to the BRS-A. The other motor measure FMA-UA (
Conclusion:
There exists a weak positive relation between motor status and cognitive impairment among poststroke patients. Hence, it can be inferred that cognitive demands shall be taken into consideration during the motor management plan.