Outcome measures in stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. The care of stroke patient involves objective measurements of outcome, which are critical to assessment and evaluations of treatment regimens. Nontraumatic brain injury is influenced by endless variables and a variation in severity. Brain injury can result in significant changes in cognitive, emotional, and functional status, leading to many challenges to the clinical management of the patient. The measurement of outcome is fundamental for effective evaluation in clinical management of stroke patients. Neurological outcome research has predominantly focused on the effects of treatment, management, and on predictive indicators. A reliable measure of deficits after a stroke is important, not only to serve as a baseline for the evaluation of therapeutic measures, but also for rehabilitation and health care planning. The goal of this article is to provide information on 6 different measurement scales used to assess and measure outcomes of strokes.