[Motor function and functional capacity in hemiplegia with global aphasia after rehabilitation]

The influence of global aphasia on the outcome rehabilitation of hemiplegia has been considered in very few case studies. Aim of this study is to evaluate motor function and functional capacities of patients whit hemiplegia and global aphasia after rehabilitation.

A consecutive sample of 54 first-stroke patients was assessed. The mean age of the patients was 64.9. Assessments were made using the Barthel Index, Fugl-Meyer Scale and Standard Language Examination of Basso.

At admission 98.1% of the patients showed a complete paresis of the upper limb, while 72.2% provided a complete paresis of the lower limb. After rehabilitation 90.7% of the cases showed a complete paresis of the upper limb while 29.6% maintained the paresis of the lower limb. The lower limb had motriciy in flexor- and extensor synergies, while the upper limb only in flexor-synergies. At admission all patients showed severe or very severe disability. After rehabilitation disability was very severe in 9.2% of the patients, severe in 16.7%, moderate in 38.9% and light in 35.2%. At discharge 33.3% of the patients had a Berthel Index score above 70 while the mean score was 59.2/100. The higher self-sufficiency was detected in the personal hygiene (83% self-sufficient) and walking (61.1%); a lower degree of self-sufficiency was observed in eating, dressing and toileting (100% of the patients needed assistance). The patients aged less than 65 years showed a recovery in the functional capacities better than the level detected in patients older than 65 (p < 0.001).

These results demonstrate that patients whit hemiplegia and global aphasia recovery better functional capacities than motor function after rehabilitation.