Early clinical predictors of motor function in the upper extremity one month post-stroke
Jenny Snickars, Hanna C. Persson, Katharina S. Sunnerhagen
Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and PhysiologyUniversity of Gothenburg, 41346 Gothenburg, Sweden. E-mail: jenny.snickars@akademiska.se
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2205
Lay Abstract
Prediction of severe impairment in arm and hand one month after stroke
Stroke is the most common cause of long term disability in an adult population and one common symptom is reduced function in arm and hand. Recovery can occur in longer terms but mainly takes place during the first month, and therefore planning of rehabilitation needs to start early. This study investigated clinical factors that within three days after stroke can predict severe function impairment in arm and hand after one month. In a cohort of patients with initially reduced arm and hand function, this study showed that stroke severity at stroke onset combined with clinical assessments as grip strength, the ability to lift the shoulder or extend the fingers can predict severe motor function impairment after one month. This knowledge may facilitate the early planning of rehabilitation of patients with impaired upper extremity at the stroke unit.
Supplementary content