scholarly journals Spatial Neglect in Stroke: Identification, Disease Process and Association with Outcome During Inpatient Rehabilitation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Hammerbeck ◽  
Matthew Gittins ◽  
Andy Vail ◽  
Lizz Paley ◽  
Sarah F Tyson ◽  
...  

We established spatial neglect prevalence, disease profile and amount of therapy that inpatient stroke survivors received, and outcomes at discharge using Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) data. We used data from 88,664 National Health Service (NHS) admissions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (July 2013–July 2015), for stroke survivors still in hospital after 3 days with a completed baseline neglect National Institute for Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Thirty percent had neglect (NIHSS item 11 ≥ 1) and they were slightly older (78 years) than those without neglect (75 years). Neglect was observed more commonly in women (33 vs. 27%) and in individuals with a premorbid dependency (37 vs. 28%). Survivors of mild stroke were far less likely to present with neglect than those with severe stroke (4% vs. 84%). Those with neglect had a greatly increased length of stay (27 vs. 10 days). They received a comparable amount of average daily occupational and physiotherapy during their longer inpatient stay but on discharge a greater percentage of individuals with neglect were dependent on the modified Rankin scale (76 vs. 57%). Spatial neglect is common and associated with worse clinical outcomes. These results add to our understanding of neglect to inform clinical guidelines, service provision and priorities for future research.

Author(s):  
Eric Tanlaka ◽  
Kathryn King-Shier ◽  
Theresa Green ◽  
Cydnee Seneviratne ◽  
Sean Dukelow

ABSTRACT:Background:We examined the impact of stroke severity and timing to inpatient rehabilitation admission on length of stay (LOS), functional gains, and discharge destination.Methods:Alberta inpatient stroke rehabilitation data between April 2013 and March 2017 were analyzed. We evaluated the impact of stroke severity, as measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), on timing to inpatient rehabilitation, functional gains, LOS, and discharge destination. Further, we examined whether timing to inpatient rehabilitation impacted the latter three factors.Results:The 2404 adults were subcategorized as mild (1237), moderate (1031), or severe (136) based on FIM at inpatient rehabilitation admission. Length of time to rehabilitation admission was not significantly (p = 0.232) different between stroke severities. Mean length of time (days) to rehabilitation admission was 19.79 (20.3 SD) for mild, 27.7 (35.7 SD) for moderate, and 37.70 (56.8 SD) for severe stroke. Mean FIM change for mild (M = 16.3, 9.9 SD) differed significantly (p = 5.1 × 10–9) from moderate (M = 30.4, 16.4 SD) and severe (M = 31.0, 25.7 SD) stroke. The mean LOS for mild stroke (M = 41.3, 31.9 SD) was significantly (p = 5.1 × 10–9) different from moderate stroke (M = 86.8, 76.4 SD) and severe stroke (M = 126.1, 104.2 SD). Time to inpatient rehabilitation admission showed a small, significant impact on FIM change (p = 1.4 × 10–9, partial η2 0.022) and LOS (p = 1.1 × 10–19, partial η2 0.042). Shorter times to rehabilitation admission and mild stroke were associated with discharging home without needing homecare.Conclusion:Stroke severity has a significant impact on the conduct of inpatient rehabilitation. Yet, despite suggestions shortening timing to rehabilitation should improve outcomes, the impact on functional gains and rehabilitation LOS was small.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peii Chen ◽  
Irene Ward ◽  
Ummais Khan ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Kimberly Hreha

Background. Current knowledge about spatial neglect and its impact on rehabilitation mostly originates from stroke studies. Objective. To examine the impact of spatial neglect on rehabilitation outcome in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods. The retrospective study included 156 consecutive patients with TBI (73 women; median age = 69.5 years; interquartile range = 50-81 years) at an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). We examined whether the presence of spatial neglect affected the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, length of stay, or discharge disposition. Based on the available medical records, we also explored whether spatial neglect was associated with tactile sensation or muscle strength asymmetry in the extremities and whether specific brain injuries or lesions predicted spatial neglect. Results. In all, 30.1% (47 of 156) of the sample had spatial neglect. Sex, age, severity of TBI, or time postinjury did not differ between patients with and without spatial neglect. In comparison to patients without spatial neglect, patients with the disorder stayed in IRF 5 days longer, had lower FIM scores at discharge, improved slower in both Cognitive and Motor FIM scores, and might have less likelihood of return home. In addition, left-sided neglect was associated with asymmetric strength in the lower extremities, specifically left weaker than the right. Finally, brain injury–induced mass effect predicted left-sided neglect. Conclusions. Spatial neglect is common following TBI, impedes rehabilitation progress in both motor and cognitive domains, and prolongs length of stay. Future research is needed for linking specific traumatic injuries and lesioned networks to spatial neglect and related impairment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110176
Author(s):  
Brodie M Sakakibara ◽  
Scott A Lear ◽  
Susan I Barr ◽  
Charles Goldsmith ◽  
Amy Schneeberg ◽  
...  

Background: Stroke Coach is a lifestyle coaching telehealth program to improve self-management of stroke risk factors. Aims: To examine the efficacy of Stroke Coach on lifestyle behaviour and risk factor control among community-living stroke survivors within one-year post stroke. Methods: Participants were randomized to Stroke Coach or an attention control Memory Training group. Lifestyle behaviour was measured using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Secondary outcomes included specific behavioural and cardiometabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cognitive status, and depressive symptoms. Measurements were taken at baseline, post-intervention (6 months), and retention (12 month). Linear mixed-effects models were used to test the study hypotheses (p<0.05). All analyses were intention-to-treat. Results: The mean age of the Stroke Coach (n=64) and Memory Training (n=62) groups was 67.2 and 69.1 years, respectively. The majority of participants (n = 100) had mild stroke (modified Rankin Scale = 1 or 2), were active, with controlled blood pressure (mean = 129/79 mmHg) at baseline. At post-intervention, there were no significant differences in lifestyle (b = -2.87; 95%CI -8.03 to 2.29; p=0.28). Glucose control, as measured by HbA1c (b = 0.17; 95%CI 0.17 to 0.32; p=0.03), and HRQoL, measured using SF-36 Physical Component Summary (b = -3.05; 95%CI -5.88 to -0.21; p=0.04), were significantly improved in Stroke Coach compared to Memory Training, and the improvements were maintained at retention. Conclusion: Stroke Coach did not improve lifestyle behaviour, however, there were improvements to HbA1c and HRQoL among community-living stroke survivors with mild stroke-related disability. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02207023)


2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552098172
Author(s):  
Niall M Broomfield ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Allan House ◽  
Theresa Munyombwe ◽  
Mark Barber ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate, psychometrically, a new measure of tearful emotionalism following stroke: Testing Emotionalism After Recent Stroke – Questionnaire (TEARS-Q). Setting: Acute stroke units based in nine Scottish hospitals, in the context of a longitudinal cohort study of post-stroke emotionalism. Subjects: A total of 224 clinically diagnosed stroke survivors recruited between October 1st 2015 and September 30th 2018, within 2 weeks of their stroke. Measures: The measure was the self-report questionnaire TEARS-Q, constructed based on post-stroke tearful emotionalism diagnostic criteria: (i) increased tearfulness, (ii) crying comes on suddenly, with no warning (iii) crying not under usual social control and (iv) crying episodes occur at least once weekly. The reference standard was presence/absence of emotionalism on a diagnostic, semi-structured post-stroke emotionalism interview, administered at the same assessment point. Stroke, mood, cognition and functional outcome measures were also completed by the subjects. Results: A total of 97 subjects were female, with a mean age 65.1 years. 205 subjects had sustained ischaemic stroke. 61 subjects were classified as mild stroke. TEARS-Q was internally consistent (Cronbach’s alpha 0.87). TEARS-Q scores readily discriminated the two groups, with a mean difference of −7.18, 95% CI (−8.07 to −6.29). A cut off score of 2 on TEARS-Q correctly identified 53 of the 61 stroke survivors with tearful emotionalism and 140 of the 156 stroke survivors without tearful emotionalism. One factor accounted for 57% of the item response variance, and all eight TEARS-Q items acceptably discriminated underlying emotionalism. Conclusion: TEARS-Q accurately diagnoses tearful emotionalism after stroke.


Urban Studies ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (16) ◽  
pp. 3639-3654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenghua Pan ◽  
Wenkai Bi ◽  
James Lenzer ◽  
Simon Zhao

Literature on how cities get connected through networks of firms has been increasing in recent years. In particular, advanced producer service (APS) firms are being widely used to build intra-firm linkages to establish urban networks. In contrast to studies applying intra-firm networks, this study proposes an alternative strategy to build urban networks based on inter-firm service provision relationships during the process of initial public offering (IPO) in which APS firms – including securities, law firms and accounting firms – provide professional services for firms aiming to be publicly listed. Based on service provision connections between APS firms and their clients, this study provides fresh insights on urban networks in China. The results show that Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai strategically hold dominant positions within Chinese urban networks and they are the lead command and financial centres within the country. Particularly, Beijing has overwhelmingly more influence over other cities. The urban networks are embedded in China’s unique institutional context where market and state power together have shaped these networks. Since the urban network is built up based on real economic linkages, the findings might have further implications for policy-making and could contribute to ongoing debates regarding financial centres in China. It implies that connections between firms based on real economic activities can be an effective way to construct urban networks in future research.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J Lutz ◽  
Mary Ellen Young

Introduction: More than 3.5 million family caregivers provide assistance with activities and instrumental activities of daily living for stroke survivors living at home. Studies consistently indicate that stroke family caregivers are inadequately assessed and under prepared for their new caregiver roles and responsibilities as stroke survivors transition home from inpatient rehabilitation. Several tools exist to assess caregivers once they have assumed the caregiving role, however, there are no tools assess stroke caregiver readiness prior to discharge. Research has indicated the need for a thorough and systematic pre-discharge assessment of the caregiver’s ability to assume the caregiving role. The purpose of this presentation is to describe ten critical stroke caregiver readiness assessment domains and to discuss their relevance for long-term outcomes for stroke survivors and family caregivers. Methods: In this grounded theory study, data were collected from19 persons with stroke and 19 family caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during inpatient rehabilitation and within 6 months post-discharge. First interviews focused on expectations for recovery and caregiving needs post-discharge. Follow-up interviews focused on how families managed the transition from rehabilitation to home and how their initial expectations matched the reality of their post-discharge experience. Interviews were analyzed using dimensional analysis and coded in NVivo data management software. Findings: Participants indicated that stroke was an overwhelming, life changing crisis event. Family members felt abandoned, isolated, and under prepared to assume the fulltime caregiving role as stroke survivors transitioned home. They described using ineffective or risky caregiving strategies that resulted in safety and health issues for both stroke survivors and caregivers. Ten pre-discharge caregiver readiness assessment domains were identified in the interviews and a corresponding stroke caregiver readiness assessment interview guide was developed. Conclusion: Stroke survivors and family caregivers are extremely vulnerable as they transition home from inpatient rehabilitation leaving them at risk for poorer health, depression, and increased risk for injury. In order to prevent these deleterious outcomes, caregivers should be assessed, and potential areas of risk identified and addressed prior to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. As new interventions are developed to improve survival rates for persons with stroke, we must also develop and implement primary prevention strategies for family members who are called upon to provide care following discharge to protect their health and improve the long-term recovery outcomes for the stroke survivor.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245425
Author(s):  
Tomas Vilimovsky ◽  
Peii Chen ◽  
Kristyna Hoidekrova ◽  
Jakub Petioky ◽  
Pavel Harsa

Spatial neglect (SN) is a common cognitive disorder after brain injury. Prism adaptation treatment (PAT) is one of the promising interventions for SN albeit inconsistent results from previous studies. We carried out a comparison intervention (PAT vs. Sham) and aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PAT on visuospatial symptoms of SN in an inpatient rehabilitation setting that offered a highly intensive comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation program. A total of 34 patients with moderate-to-severe SN secondary to stroke or traumatic brain injury were randomized to the PAT group and the Sham group (an active control group). Both groups received 10 sessions of treatment, over two weeks, in addition to the rehabilitation therapies provided by their rehabilitation care teams. Outcomes were measured using an ecological instrument (the Catherine Bergego Scale) and paper-and-pencil tests (the Bells Test, the Line Bisection Test and the Scene Copying Test). Patients were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, two weeks after treatment, and four weeks after treatment. 23 (67.6%) patients completed treatment and all the assessment sessions and were included in the final analyses using mixed linear modeling. While SN symptoms reduced in both groups, we found no difference between the two groups in the degree of improvement. In addition, the average SN recovery rates were 39.1% and 28.6% in the PAT and Sham groups, respectively, but this discrepancy did not reach statistical significance. Thus, the present study suggests that PAT may contribute little to SN care in the context of a highly intensive inpatient rehabilitation program. Further large-scale investigation is required to uncover the mechanisms underlying PAT and Sham in order to refine the treatment or create new interventions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunju Shin ◽  
Alexander E. Ellinger ◽  
David L. Mothersbaugh ◽  
Kristy E. Reynolds

Purpose Services marketing research continues to be largely focused on firms’ reactive interactions for recovering from service failure rather than on proactive customer interactions that may prevent service failure from occurring in the first place. Building on previous studies that assess the efficacy of implementing proactive interaction in service provision contexts, the purpose of this paper is to compare the influences of proactive interaction to prevent service failure and reactive interaction to correct service failure on customer emotion and patronage behavior. Since proactive interaction for service failure prevention is a relatively underexplored and resource-intensive approach, the authors also assess the moderating influences of customer and firm-related characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The study hypotheses are tested with survey data from two scenario-based experiments conducted in a retail setting. Findings The findings reveal that customers prefer service providers that take the initiative to get to them before they have to initiate contact for themselves. The findings also identify the moderating influences of relationship quality, situational involvement, and contact person status and motive. Originality/value The research contributes to the development of service provision theory and practice by expanding on previous studies which report that proactive efforts to prepare customers for the adverse effects of service failure are favorably received. The results also shed light on moderating factors that may further inform the exploitation of resource-intensive proactive interaction for service failure prevention. An agenda is proposed to stimulate future research on proactive customer interaction to prevent service failure in service provision contexts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Brittany A. Walsh ◽  
W. Douglas Gregorie ◽  
Jessica S. Whittle

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is a term encompassing traumatic carotid and vertebral artery dissection or disruption. While the reported incidence appears to be increasing as diagnostic modalities improve, these injuries are often diagnosed only after patients have developed acute neurologic symptoms. These injuries often result in severe permanent neurologic disability or death. The gold standard for diagnosis has historically been a 4-vessel arteriogram. However, newer data are suggesting that computed tomographic angiography may be more appropriate for most patients and new criteria for its utilization have been developed. We report a case of bilateral carotid dissection in a 23-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle collision (MVC). She initially presents with a normal neurologic exam and two hours later develops hemiparesis. She is treated with antiplatelet therapy and given intravascular catheter directed tissue plasminogen activator with carotid stent placement. Nonetheless, the patient goes on to require intubation and, ultimately, a tracheostomy and transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation setting due to continued hemiparesis. This case highlights the need for increased awareness of a potentially debilitating, life-threatening disease process. A high index of suspicion is required among emergency medicine physicians for early diagnosis and treatment of trauma patients with BCVI.


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