Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination: its use with unilateral stroke patients in a rehabilitation setting

The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE) was administered to 12 patients with right unilateral stroke and 12 with left unilateral stroke and to 12 orthopedic, non-brain-dysfunctional patients who were matched in age and education, for the purpose of studying its usefulness in characterizing cognitive deficits in a stroke rehabilitation population. MANOVA demonstrated significant differences (Phillai's trace, p = .007) between the stroke groups and the controls, but not between the unilateral stroke groups. Significant univariate Fs (F[2,3], p less than .05) occurred between the stroke groups and the controls in comprehension, naming, constructions, memory, and similarities. Correlations revealed strong relationships among the scales; little relationship to age was found. Education correlated with attention, comprehension, repetition, and similarities. The number of medications patients were taking did not correlate with either individual scale scores or an overall score on the NCSE. The test was found to be sensitive to cognitive effects of stroke, although there was little discrimination between left-sided and right-sided strokes. The correlational structure of the test's scales provided general support for an attention/concentration dimension, at least one general language dimension, and a general memory dimension. Further factor analytic study was recommended to more definitively assess the test's factorial dimensions. Individual descriptive data suggested that the screen and the last item of the constructions scale were too difficult. It was suggested that the item be changed or that a clue be offered to the patient.